Friends in Christ,

Do you hear what I hear? The Christmas season is in full swing. Debit card machines are beeping with frequent taps, horns are honking from restless travelers in traffic, secular music is on repeat in retail stores, and families are arguing with one another about gift budgets.

I bet you can easily picture these scenarios in your mind. Sadly this has become the norm during one of the busiest seasons of the year. But these things are representative of the commercial holiday season. Not Advent. Not Christmas.

Luke 2:10 says, “The angel reassured them, “Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people.”  What a timely message. We need joy! We need good news! Look around, listen, who are the angels among us proclaiming this message? How can we be one of these good news messengers in a dark world? There is someone in your life who needs to hear this news.

 As we celebrate Christmas, Advent reminds us of the time of waiting and preparation for the coming Christ child. Each year, I look forward to Advent and being able to spend a few days waiting to pause the hectic pace that I have experienced over the past few months. For churches and pastors, Advent means some of the busiest days of the church year. For bishops and conference staff, it allows us to have a time of respite. My prayer is that our clergy will find this renewal in the days after Christmas.

The Advent season and the birth of Jesus is just what this world needs. These days of waiting are refreshing for my soul. There is good news that will bring joy to all people. This joy, my friends, is not only preparing our conference and me to move into a new year that will bring many systemic changes but also a time for us to commit our energies to live out the Gospel message of sharing Jesus and his love to all people.

Amid shopping lists, social events, and decorating, don’t miss what God wants to give you this Christmas. Rest, renew, and rejoice, for 2025 is going to be a year of leading and discipling. I need each of you to serve on this team in some capacity. Together, we can change our corner of the world.

Do you hear what I hear? It’s the angels proclaiming a child is born. Glory to God!

In Christ,

Bishop David Graves

Resident Bishop
Kentucky-Tennessee Episcopal Area of The United Methodist Church