by Patti Duckworth, Associate Executive Minister

As Christmas and the end of the year draw near, many people are reflecting on the fact that 2020 has been a year like no other. COVID and all that has gone with it or been taken away by it has forced us to redefine how we work, shop, recreate, and relate. We’ve had to think differently about worship, ministry, and what it means to be a local body of Christ.

 Even now congregational leaders are wrestling with how best to celebrate Christmas this year, fully aware Christmas services are one of the top three attendance times (Easter and Mother’s Day being the two others). Balancing safety with the desire to share the good news of Jesus is a challenge.

Beyond the obvious concerns and decisions, it will be important to change our perception of what does or doesn’t happen, how people do or don’t respond. In the past, we have looked at Christmas services as touch points, evangelism opportunities, and a time to embody the Lord’s giving spirit. We’ve measured the outcomes of Christmas services in terms of numbers: attendance, giving, participation. Those numbers are important because they represent people and some level of buy-in. But intuitively we know there is more to consider than numbers.

 This year we need to adopt another attitude about measuring Advent.

 Consider how God measured the events of the first Christmas. A read of Matthew and Luke reveals a God whose end game was relationship – Emmanuel, God with us. God offered himself in Jesus even though God knew that some would not receive Jesus (John 1:12). We don’t know how many angels, shepherds, or magi there were. We do know that God went to the ultimate measure to redeem people by engaging in relationships with them. With us.

God’s advent measures were first relational, not numerical. The Lord connected with the shepherds through angel messengers. The Lord responded to the inquiring magi through creation and learning – the stars and the Hebrew prophecies. The Lord approached Mary and Joseph through an angel and a dream. The Lord connected with us through Jesus.

More than in any time in years past, I believe people are looking for relationship – meaningful, honest, sincere relationship that can tolerate momentary physical separations.

Though we know that is true, we also squirm because we don’t know how to “measure” relationship. We really don’t know how to quantify relationship during COVID. What do real relationships feel like when some people come, others stay away physically, but all yearn for something beyond themselves?

 It seems to me that the first line of assessment happens with each of us. When I participate (online or in person), is my first concern me? Am I focused on what I think, what I am getting out of it? Am I anxious because I don’t see what I’m expecting and that makes me feel badly? Am I concerned about being disappointed?

As long as we focus on ourselves, relationships with people who show up for our Advent services are going to be difficult. If their ultimate purpose is to assuage our anxiety, it will be a loss for us and for them.Instead our inner transformation needs to be from what we should do to what we could do and will do to celebrate God’s relationship with us – Emmanuel.

How can we shift our Advent measures this year? Let me suggest three; perhaps you can think of others.

• Whatever you do, do it with joy. If you’ve decided everything will be online, enjoy every aspect of that effort. Throw a mini-party for those who are doing the tech work while they are doing the work. If you are meeting in person but in smaller groups, enjoy each person who participates. Both scenarios require a purposeful turn of attention to other people.

• Whatever you do, do it as well as you can – and give yourself grace for the rest. There is always more that could be done. Rather, focus on what is being done. Are you down to unplugged music? Or recorded music? Do that as well as possible and enjoy it.

• See EVERY person as a plus. Whether they are physically or virtually present, we have an opportunity to pay attention to each one. Sometimes that will be in that moment of encounter; sometimes that will be later in terms of a follow-up contact.

As you navigate this Christmas impacted by COVID, remind yourself that God’s Advent measures are in terms of relationship, being with us, Emmanuel.