.::The Conversation::. Grace Bivouaced Here

[Carl Thomas Gladstone]

December 4,  2006 This past Saturday a few of us gathered in mid-town Detroit for the annual Noel Night celebrations.  With the DIA, Science Center, and other various shops and restaurants open late, free holiday coffees and ice sculptures on Woodward, and Santas everywhere you turned, this night was a great way to usher in the season. I know that sometimes our americanized, consumerist, holiday traditions have the tendency to distract us from the reality that in Christmas we remember and prepare for Christ's coming to earth again and again.  But seeing all the joy, community, and beauty of the season light up Detroit on a cold dark evening - it reminded me of the community that Christ brings with him (and asks us to help build up) when he comes. While downtown we actually had the opportunity to go visit with the Big SC.  He was very cordial in telling us that he was trying his best to bring us the world peace we asked for this Christmas, but that it was pretty tough this year.  We appreciated his honesty.  And probably, the one we should be asking to help us accomplish such a task won't be sitting in a big chair this season, he probably won't be jolly even, in the quaint way.  Instead, the peace that Jesus brings is an awesome one, a radical one, one that rips us from the shallow roots of modern, industrial living and plants us in the fertile soil of God's Way. And as long as I can get a piece of that in my stocking this year, I'll be happy. Yours in Christ, Carl Thomas Gladstone READ Acts 2.12-22 - The Christmas season and lore is full of visions and dreams.  We dream of people helping those in need.  We envision a winter wonderland where everyone is warm and toasty with hot stuff to eat and drink.  What are the visions of Christmas that resonate with you and that seem to echo the deeper message of Christ's coming and his transformation of the world?	Emerge:Detroit Subscribe to the podcast! GATHER the EMERGE community Royal Oak Friends in Faith YAFF: Rochester Newburg YA Fellowship Wesley Foundation UofM Metro Detroit Emergent Cohort GROW The Wesley Project Soulstretch GO The NOAH Proj. Cass Community Baldwin Center Sierra Service Project City Year: Detroit Project Transformation PT: Oklahoma PT: Virginia US-2 Program Peace Corps Jesuit Volunteer Corps Young Leaders Initiative
*For those new to this email list - each Thursday I send an e-message to students and young adults connected with BHAM First UMC, and with the developing EMERGE worship community for young adults.  These emails are meant to stay in touch with you, encourage you in your Christian journey, and pose some faith-filled questions that might spark some email correspondence.  If you have any questions about this list, just drop me an email at the address above. Peace.
carl thomas gladstone | deacon, first umc, birmingham, mi | 248.646.1200 | cglad...@fumcbirmingham.org