Merry Christmas from More Light Presbyterians!

Christmas blessings to you! As we celebrate the birth of the Christ child, we experience the abounding love of a God who will never let us go. Today's reflection on this miraculous act of defiant love is provided by Shani McIlwain, a member of the MLP National Board of Directors. May these words inspire us all as we continue to seek the beloved community within and outside of our Church walls. CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE VIDEO RECORDING OF SHANI'S CHRISTMAS REFLECTION   The transcript can be found below: Merry Christmas! Merry Christmas to all of you who are watching/reading and have followed our More Light reflections throughout Advent. And we are finally here on Christmas Day. Many years ago, I was a new leader in ministry and I had the task of creating the children's program that we did at my church. Just so happened that that year, Christmas, like it is this year, fell on a Sunday. And my daughters were very little at the time, I believe two and three or three and four. And I had been preparing for them for weeks that they were going to, we were going to have a party. We were going to have a party on our best friend's birthday, and we were going to sing a special happy birthday song. And so for those of you who have been in children's ministry or have participated or have been a spectator of a children's program at church, there is a song that many might know called Happy Birthday, Jesus, I'm so glad it's Christmas. We had practiced this song for weeks. And at the day of my three-year-old got stage fright. Got stage fright, and the intro came in and she was supposed to start singing. And she looked around and she said, nope. So they gave her another intro. She looked around and she did not start singing. So then the third time I went to grab the microphone from her, giving her this out, giving her this grace, and she said, "No, I want to sing to Jesus." And in that moment, she finally did it on the third try. Oftentimes we look at those scary moments of having stage fright and doing things out of our comfort zone. But this is a reminder that the entire story that we've been invited to participate in, from the moment that the angel came to Mary, from the moment that the angel came to Elizabeth, the moment that the angel came to Joseph, all the players in this story, we were met with the beginning of do not be afraid. And so this Christmas time, this Christmas joy is all about not being afraid. Not being afraid of the invitation that this Christ child came so that we may have life, and life abundantly. Came so that we would not have to go through this life and this world alone. And that by invitation, we get to participate in a life that is full of risk taking, full of stage fright, but yet God is near. Christ is near. Christ will come again. And the risk of believing in it all is more inviting and more meaningful, knowing that we are in community with one another. We are in community with people that might differ from us. We are yet in community with all of the things that come with being in community, but that Christ is with us. Do not be afraid, because joy is among us. Do not be afraid, because love is among us. Do not be afraid, because peace is among us. Do not be afraid, because hope is among us and with us and through us. And so on this Christmas morning, I say, “Joy to the world. Joy to the world. Amen.”   Make a gift to MLP!

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Friends,   My first memory of writing comes from when I was 11, and my math teacher suggested I write my feelings down after I overheard some racial slurs directed toward me. More than 30 years later, writing down my feelings still feels like God’s grace personified. It’s been seven years since my first book was published and one thing my publisher asked me when we first started working together was, “What do you want to do with this book and in life?” I responded, “I just want to write books, share the good news and speak all over the world.” Support the Outlook's publishing ministry with an end-of-year donation today > I have always wanted to write for a magazine and see my byline on a feature piece. Last April, we turned over our entire issue to Black women theologians, scholars, poets and writers. It was one of the greatest team efforts I have been a part of, but authoring a feature for this issue is one of my top ten of personal achievements. What I did not realize last spring is that my interviews with members of the Disparities Experienced by Black Women and Girls Task Force would spark a new title for my work with the Outlook: director of community engagement. This position allows me to connect with people in person and through Outlook's social media channels as a way to foster community and develop connections. I believe community engagement is all about using our digital universe to create spaces that nurture intentional and meaningful relationships with the ultimate goal of cultivating the love and wisdom found in Christ Jesus. In my other work as an author and the moderator of the National Capital Presbytery, I get to visit different churches, and I always love mentioning my role at the Outlook as I meet new people. The responses range from piqued curiosity that the Outlook is still in print to gratitude from small lay-led congregations who use our worship resources every week. I get to meet new friends such as Ann from Colesville Presbyterian, who shared her excitement to see Teri speak at Massanetta Springs last month. Being able to share stories with old and new friends is exactly what my new role is designed to do. “I just want to write books, share the good news and speak all over the world." God has this way of taking your dreams and wants and amplifying them for God’s purpose and glory. To be a part of a 200-year institution that continues to create impact, introduce the church to more ways of being, to grow beyond what we can even fathom, is better than my own hopes.   I am excited about what is coming ahead of us in 2023. I want to build our online presence and offer content to each of you that is thought-provoking, educational, and, at times, just for fun. With your generous gift, we will be able to do exciting and innovative things, and we cannot thank you enough. Please consider an end-of-year tax-deductible gift. Abundant Hope, Shani McIlwain Community Engagement Editor Presbyterian Outlook Give to the Outlook