Welcome the Seasons

By Pastor Paul Gauche

Today’s Word: ‘Welcome’ as in… Welcome the Seasons!

For more than a decade, I’ve been aware of my experience of “The Holiday Season.” This generally includes Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas. But toss in Halloween and the New Year’s celebration, and it’s a lot.

With the Halloween decorations neatly tucked away, Thanksgiving arrives. Then, seemingly within hours, the season of Advent begins. For four weeks, we’re shopping, cooking, decorating, traveling, shoveling (snow), and preparing for Christmas. Of course, with all of the newness of the Christmas season, there is also the old familiar stress over health, jobs, relationships, finances, spending. Before we can catch our breath, a new year is upon us. Then Epiphany. Then Valentine’s Day. The pace is relentless. Oh, wait! Then it’s Lent! Did someone say March Madness?

So much, so quickly! If this year is like so many years in the past, we’re going to need a nap or therapy. Or both. I’m not kidding about that. For many, this time of year is a big challenge. Unfortunately, with all that the past year has thrown at us, we may be more inclined at this moment to resist rather than welcome the seasons.

I wanted to change all of that.

So, two years ago, I began working with a team of very creative partners to provide a way to embrace rather than resist the wonder-filled seasons ahead. What emerged is a devotional response to our deep longing to experience more of the beauty of this time of year. The “Welcome The Seasons” resource provides a way to experience each day of the Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany seasons at a pace that breathes life back into us.

The “Welcome The Seasons” devotional book features over 40 daily devotional writings, beginning on the first Sunday in Advent and running through Epiphany Day. In addition, scripture readings, original artwork from our Prince of Peace artists and photographers, small group discussion questions, and prayers specific to each day will stir your imagination and deepen your faith. For information about how you can interact with this beautiful resource, scan the QR code.

#100days50words

Paul Gauche is the Pastor of Life Transitions at Prince of Peace. His posts are part of his #100days50words project, where he blogs about a different word each week. You can follow his project on Instagram (@pgauche) or on his blog, Thriving Rhythms.