Series: Advent

Pastor Wes reflects on the meaning of Emmanuel—“God is here”—reminding us of the gift of God’s presence in every moment, especially the imperfect ones. Using the imagery of Christmas gifts and the nativity story, he explores what it means to embody Mary’s courage, Joseph’s conviction, and the shepherds’ joy. Pastor Wes challenges us to nurture our inner innkeeper, embracing radical hospitality and spreading hope, peace, love, and joy in a world that desperately needs them.

Pastor Wes reflects on Isaiah 60:1-6, highlighting the imagery of God’s light shining on all people, including those in exile and those who remained in the rubble of Jerusalem. Using the often-overlooked camel as a metaphor, he emphasizes the beauty and resilience of God’s creation, urging us to recognize our role as carriers of God’s light. Drawing parallels between the Israelites’ return from exile and our own struggles with societal and personal “sandstorms,” Pastor Wes calls us to radiate God’s hope, peace, and goodness. He challenges the congregation to reflect on how they embody and share God’s light, offering the acronym HOW—Honest, Open, Willing—as a guide for living as bearers of hope and peace today.

Preaching on Isaiah 55:1-5, Pastor Wes invites us to a divine feast where all are welcomed without cost. Reflecting on the passage’s themes of bread, milk, and wine, he connects God’s provision in the Exodus with the hope offered during the Babylonian exile. Pastor Wes challenges us to ponder the deep thirsts and hungers in our lives this Advent season: for hope, connection, and purpose. He urges us to resist the distractions of consumerism and instead focus on constructing a present that reflects the future of God’s dream for the world. As we approach Christ’s table, we are reminded of God’s abundant grace and are called to bring that hope into our daily lives.