Observations, Dreams and Visions

“In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, magi[a] from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star in the east[b] and have come to pay him homage.” Matthew 2:1-2

The magi observed. That means the magi had been taking notice, they had been astutely aware of their surroundings and the conditions to know when something called their attention

As we walk through the 12 days of the Christmas season, and arrive at the season of Epiphany, we start to encounter stories of observations and dreams. The magi observe the revelation of a new star, they are warned in a dream not to return by the same path back to Jerusalem after visiting with Mary, Joseph and their child, Jesus. Joseph was warned in a dream to escape to Egypt to save Jesus from Herod’s jealous massacre. And then again, in a dream, Joseph is told he can bring his family back from Egypt to settle in Nazareth. This was to fulfill prophecy or vision of the future that the prophets foretold: 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was ruling Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And after being warned in a dream, he went away to the district of Galilee. 23 There he made his home in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been spoken through the prophets might be fulfilled, “He will be called a Nazarene.” Matthew 2: 22-23

As we start a new year, we all have hopes and dreams for what the new year might hold. It is the same for the community that we call the church, our congregation and its ministry. We look ahead, guided by the hope and promise of God’s kingdom born that night long ago into a world needing to know God’s light and love.

God has called us to be Christ’s light - an Epiphany- or manifestation of Christ – in our world. We have hopes and dreams of what that will look like and how all of our members and friends will join in that work, with God’s help. As our elders, deacons, committee chairpersons, members and community partners work together in the coming year to “flesh out” these hopes and dreams into a wonderous reality, we will be keeping the light of Christ as our guide. Let us be observers of what God is already pointing us toward, of where God is already “showing up” and asking us to join in God’s work. Through the year, we will grow in our individual faith and we will serve and minister beyond ourselves, living into both an inward and outward manifestation of The Light.

I hope you will join with us in this work, and with prayer, live into the vision and call God has for Plum Creek Presbyterian Church! It is great work that God has for us to do together. May God bless you and yours in this new year and may God bless our work together.

In Christ’s service,

Pastor Carolyn

January 2025