Dear BUMC Family,
As we enter this beautiful season of Thanksgiving and prepare our hearts for Advent, I want to invite you to pause – and truly count your blessings. Some blessings are obvious and bright, like warm homes, loving relationships, and daily provisions. Others are gentle and quiet, like a moment of peace in a busy day, a word of encouragement when we needed it most, or the strength to keep going through a difficult season.
And yes, even our challenges can become unexpected blessings. The struggles you have faced this year – whether big or small – have shaped you, stretched you, and often revealed God’s faithful hand in ways you might not have seen otherwise. Think back: Where did God meet you? Where did He rescue you? Where did He help you when you could not be help yourself?
Our God is still the One who steps into our wilderness places, provides manna for the day, and guides us with both tenderness and strength. For every moment of divine intervention – seen or unseen – we give thanks. And if your heart feels heavy this Thanksgiving, if it seems like there is little to celebrate, I want to remind you of this truth: Having Jesus is reason enough to give thanks. He is our Good Shepherd – our protector, our guide, our comfort, and our peace. When all else shifts, He remains steady and near. His presence is the greatest gift we could ever receive.
As we turn toward Advent, let us prepare room in our hearts for the coming King – the One born in Bethlehem, who chose to become like us so that He might redeem us. Advent invites us to slow down, to watch and wait, to ready ourselves for the miracle of Emmanuel, “God with us.”
May we journey through this season with thankful spirits, remembering that gratitude opens our hearts to God’s grace, and Advent hope lifts our eyes to His promise. Wishing each of you a blessed Thanksgiving and a meaningful, hope-filled Advent.
With love and gratitude in Christ,
Pastor Hannah
