I am always amazed at how much I'm inclined to want certain foods when it gets cold outside.  I am more likely to make a cup of tea in the office, have soup in the evening, and even anticipate fruit cake (yep, I like fruit cake) in the months ahead.  It is something that made the pumpkin spice latte phenomenon seem a little more sensible when we lived up north and the weather started shifting colder in September.  It's also why I scratch my head when this flavor takes center stage in Houston when it is often 70-80 degrees outside. 

 

I find that church life is the same way.  The more we experience the annual dance of events, liturgical seasons, and holidays, the more these experiences get tied to our seasonal activities.  It's no wonder that events like Blessing of the Animals and Trunk or Treat arrive on the calendar pointing to a festive and exciting fall ahead.  As we get ready for the coming holidays, I can't wait to eat turkey and dressing and share in the Great Thanksgiving (another name for the Eucharistic Prayer used in Communion) as we gather for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner with a Eucharist worship service.  I look forward to St. Nicholas showing up and Advent wreaths taking from on the first Sunday of December.  I can't wait for Lessons and Carols and the Nativity Pageant.  And we will be singing and celebrating on Christmas Eve before you know it. 

 

Church life becomes part of our annual experiences bringing a depth of joy and meaning to the other things we do this time of the year.  My prayer is that our shared church life will deepen your life.  As we approach the signposts of things to come, may God grant us the awareness of all God's workings in our lives every step of the way.