weekend 2 of advent

last weekend ranks among the best weekends I've had in bermuda.

i spent friday night in st. georges with cassandra, allison, and tariq.  walking through the houses that are older than the US, hearing the history behind each one, wandering the alley ways set to christmas light with a pretty lady on my arm - theres not much more i could ask for.  i really got kinda caught up in a moment that night.

then there was saturday night out in somerset with the d'almoneypoos.  they treated me to christmas tree trimming, a delicious dinner, christmas carols on the radio, and a really fun game night.  louis may have even put on a pair of heels and walked around the house, maybe.

sunday night i packed up my place in anticipation of my move this weekend, with the backdrop of the trinity advent album. what a terrific one it is start to finish.  its definitely the most worshipful christmas album i have listened to.  after that, with my sister home from school, i got to talk to my family for quite a while.  it really was a soul restoring weekend.

but something was missing.  this is a season where we celebrate something specific, someone specific. that idea was, however, conspicuously absent this weekend.  it was an eerie feeling to go through the motions of a christmas season without a focus on the ultimate reason for celebrating.

so while i was thrilled to be able to share a special time in terrific ways with friends, it left a void in me.  in my mind i contrast my comings and goings with a christmas party with jesus loving folks.  even if you were to never mention Jesus during this party, and even if the party were to be way lamer, the knowledge that you are worshipping through your merriment creates a deeper bond and a profound peace.

the lack of faith in my friends is not pronounced during common time.  they live great lives and could teach a good number of Christians what it is to live a good life.  they have taught me to be more loving and considerate.   they live simple lives to be revered.  but this weekend i kinda hurt for them.  its not that they think they are lacking.  its that i know they are.  it was also a pretty strong sign to me that maybe i haven't been the influence i could have been over the past year.