Methodists of Gallatin Valley

Everyone has traditions during this holiday season, some are with their family of origin and some are with their family of choice. Some people don’t listen to Christmas music until after pie on Thanksgiving night, and others cut down the Christmas tree in the forest and drag it home, only to be forced to vacuum pine needles every day until the tree is drug out of the house. There is a custom in some families of opening presents one at a time from youngest to oldest, instead of everyone just opening everything in a flurry of activity.

What is your favorite holiday tradition?

We have many Christmas traditions in our Christian faith as well. We prepare for the Christ child’s arrival in a season called Advent, which means waiting for Christmas Eve. We set out nativities, decorate sanctuaries, and light advent candles. But, most important, we celebrate His birth on Christmas Eve by lighting candles in the darkness of our sanctuaries. The reality is that COVID-19 has disrupted the traditional rhythms of living life; whether that is drinking coffee with friends, exercising at the gym, or working in a physical office. The pandemic has also interrupted our patterns for traditional church worship, making it difficult to get back into a consistent rhythm. At the same time, we know many people are enjoying pajama church and participating online with others in a new community. The traditions of pre-pandemic look very different 19 months later. The pandemic has also changed many of our Christmas traditions, whether it was travelling to be with family, Christmas Eve worship celebration, large family gatherings and in

person gift exchanges. All of these traditions are important because they remind us who we are as a Christian people and they remind us we are not alone.

The isolation of a global pandemic doesn’t have to be the only story we tell.

On Christmas Eve we read from the “The people walking in darkness book of Isaiah, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light” have seen a great light” (9:2). (9:2). Historically, this comes from Historically, this comes from the the people witnessing the destruction people witnessing the destruc- of Jerusalem by the Assyrian army. In tion of Jerusalem by the Assyrian the Christian tradition, we read this army. In the Christian tradition, line to remind us the light of God has come into the world, and we are not we read this line to remind us alone.”

the light of God has come into

the world, and we are not alone.” We want to invite you to join us for the many traditions of Advent on Sunday mornings at Living Waters United Methodist Church in Belgrade, at 10am. Or, join us downtown at Bozeman United Methodist Church at 9:30am. Our 9:30am service is livestreamed at bozemanumc.org/ live. Our Christmas Eve services are 5pm and 7pm at Living Waters, and 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm at Bozeman United Methodist. These services will feature traditional carols, cookies and hot chocolate, a progressive Christmas message of hope, and Christmas candle-lighting.

Living Waters United Methodist Church

51 W. Cameron Bridge Rd., Belgrade www.livingwatersbelgrade.com

Bozeman United Methodist Church

121 S. Willson, Bozeman www.bozemanumc.org