Lent is a practice of pouring myself out. An act of emptying out all I have collected in my heart.

Well, at least this is what I am praying for: that I might pour myself out before God and the World, and then be filled up through the promise of Easter.

But the angel said to them,
‘Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people.’
—Luke 2:10

May the Good News of Jesus be great joy for you and our world. Christmas peace,

—Bishop Deborah Hutterer and the Grand Canyon Synod office staff

Navajo Lutheran Mission (NELM) Executive Director and Pastor Kate Adelman shares hope and observations of Navajo winter, Christmas highlights, and a giveaway of over 1,000 quilts.

In her December column for Living Lutheran, ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton reminds us that the cross is the true gift of Christmas: “All of our Christmas glorias are realized in Jesus’ glorification on the cross. We have peace. We have hope. We are loved. And not just at Christmas.” Read her column in English at https://bit.ly/3suio95 and in Spanish at https://bit.ly/32hG0mz.

Join us as Bishop Eaton discusses her family’s nativity scene traditions and offers a prayer for your family’s nativity scenes.

When I first saw this image I felt a wave of release of personal judgement and connection to these two women, a wave full of humanness and grace.

It felt like the meeting of the selves, for me, almost in the way Martin Luther speaks about each person being concurrently Sinner and Saint.

In July of 2021, the American Indian/Alaska Native Lutheran Association (AIANLA) asked the whole ELCA to remember and lament the children who died in Indian boarding schools in the United States and residential schools in Canada.

As the church observes the Feast of the Holy Innocents*, the Saint Paul Area Synod, the Minneapolis Area Synod, and the Advocates for Racial Equity offer this service of prayer and lament (on Vimeo) for use by individuals and congregations.

The Lutheran World Federation’s Hymns of Advent and Christmas continues with offerings from around the world: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana, "Re tsamaya Lesedingla Modimo" ("Walk in the Light of God"); Evangelical Lutheran Church in Guyana, "Come O Come, Emmanuel"; The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia, "How Beautiful"; Evangelical Lutheran Church of Saxony, "Veni, veni Emmanuel"; Evangelical Lutheran Church in Colombia, "Bella María"; Bangladesh Northern Evangelical Lutheran Church, "E Dhorom Isại Hoṛ"; Malagasy Lutheran Church, "Fa zaza no teraka" ("A child is born to us"); Union of Protestant Churches of Alsace and Lorraine, "Il est né le divin enfant" ("A Divine Child is Born").

Pastor Dan Valasakos, synod council member and pastor at Mount Zion Lutheran in Tucson, shares a book of Advent daily devotions. Each devotions is accompanied with watercolor illustrations by Valaskos. The book is available on the Mount Zion website through these links: Advent Devotional - Daily Advent Meditations, Advent Devotional Printable Booklet (print two sided -flip at short side).

This is our second pandemic Christmas and there's so much that's broken in this world, so much that tells us, “Why have hope? Just give up.” But we have a hope that's stronger than any of this, stronger even than death. The hope of God comes in the form of a tiny baby, a helpless child. "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

The Protestant Christian Batak Church presents "Give Thanks", featuring the Protestant Christian Batak Church (HKBP) Department of Diakonia, Indonesia.

The Christian Lutheran Church of Honduras presents "Tiempo de Esperanza" ("Time of Hope").

The Nepal Evangelical Lutheran Church presents "Wake and look toward the new star," featuring the Biratnagar Congregation.

The Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren presents "Boha Otce všichni chvalme" ("All praise God the Father"), featuring Ladislav Moravetz.

The Lutheran Church in Chile presents "Gloria a Dios" ("Glory to God"), featuring Santiago Synod Iglesia Evangélica Luterana El Redentor.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Romania presents "Krisztus Urunknak áldott születésén" ("On the birth of our Lord Christ") featuring the Mátka Folk Group.

Lutheran Summer Music is pleased to share a musical selection every day of Advent, from favorite LSM performances to brand new recordings submitted by alumni, faculty, and friends. Follow the calendar in real time on the LSM Website for a moment of music and reflection each day until December 24th!

Advent blessings to you of hope, joy, peace, and love from the Office of the Bishop of the Grand Canyon Synod!

The Protestant Church in the Netherlands presents "De nacht loopt ten einde…" ("The night comes to an end…") featuring the Lutheran Parish in Amsterdam.

The Lutheran Church in Singapore presents Come Let us Adore Him, featuring the Queenstown Lutheran Church in Singapore.

The Salvadoran Lutheran Church presents Tras Hermoso Lucero. Featuring the Children Choir in the Lutheran Church Pueblo de Dios, Calderitas.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada presents There is no Child by vocalists from the Eastern Synod.

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Malawi presents Alimkudza wasoni munthu (He is Coming, The Man of Sorrows) featuring the ELCM Praise and Worship Team, Lilongwe Cathedral.

Lutheran World Relief has created FREE, easy-to-use resources based on the RCL Advent texts from the Gospel of Luke, all available at lwr.org/advent.

In Living Lutheran, read about the many congregations that build community and give back with Christmas tree sales.

Pastor David Parsons said these events present an evangelism moment—someone new becomes involved in the church each year as a result of the tree sale.

Niveen Sarras, pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Wausau, Wis., was born and raised in Bethlehem. In Living Lutheran, she shares a Palestinian interpretation of the nativity.

“The nativity of Jesus Christ was a subversive attack on Rome’s imperial power and unjust peace. Jesus’ birth stands against all kinds of systemic injustices and military occupation. It is a message of solidarity with the disadvantaged.”

Searching for the perfect gift? Choose from more than 50 life-changing, charitable gifts in lieu of traditional Christmas presents. Even in a year when the needs can seem overwhelming, ELCA Good Gifts provide an easy way to make a real impact.

Bishop Eaton shares a Christmas message with children as she reads the book The Little Shepherd. In the book, the birth of Jesus is told from the perspective of a shepherd boy. Each of us, no matter how small, can tell the story of Jesus’ birth and how God loves us. Merry Christmas!

Lutheran college choirs have been preparing for their annual holiday concerts and invite you to attend from the safety of your home. The links to these events, and details, are posted on the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians website.

In March, I didn’t imagine we’d be grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic at Christmastime. On top of the usual challenges and joys of the season, grief and uncertainty from this pandemic may weigh heavily.

Yet, I keep watching my children, who show me Christmas is still coming, Jesus will still be born and the light of the world will not be extinguished.