Worth a Thousand Words
It’s an adage that is found in multiple languages – “a picture is worth a thousand words.” Somehow images, like so many forms of art, are able to convey meaning or essence or memory that written or verbal descriptions just can’t do justice.
This point was driven home to me recently in two very different ways. First, we are slowly decorating for Christmas at my house. As of Tuesday, Dec. 5, there is a wreath near our door, but not on it, there is a Christmas tree in a box near the place it will be set up, but there is a nativity set on the mantel. We’re getting there. As I pulled out boxes and found our decorations, I also found our Christmas cards from past years. I’m notoriously late in ordering them most years, wondering if it’s worth it, but then sometime mid-December I decide to do it, looking through a year’s worth of candid photos to find those that capture who we’ve been this year.
James found the stack of past years and has been looking at them nearly daily. I realize that he doesn’t have access to photo albums like I did as a kid and he’s not yet on social media, where I share the pictures of our family. It’s been fun to tell stories of our family as we look at pictures of how much we’ve grown and where we’ve been. And it’s reminded me that I’ve been meaning to make photo book for them since they were born. I’m sure I’ll get it done soon…
The other pictures I’ve seen recently have been from the Israel-Gaza conflict – children in rubble, parents running with their children in their arms – image after image of fire and destruction and death. I’ve read so many stories of this complicated, heartbreaking situation, but one moment with a picture brings an ache to my heart and tears to my eyes faster than thousands of words.
Pictures are powerful. They capture a moment in time like nothing else. This Saturday, we are inviting our community to our church, to have fun, to be welcomed, and to take pictures with Santa (and/or the Grinch). It’s an opportunity for us to meet and start relationships with folks in our community. I am grateful for Sidney Avlos, who is heading up this effort, but she needs help! She needs snack providers and greeters and a storybook reader. If you are able to help with any of these things, please let her know! And be sure to invite your friends, family, and neighbors to have some fun with us.
I am praying for you, beloved, I hope you are praying for me. We’ll continue our journey to Bethlehem on Sunday by considering Mary’s visit to her kinswoman, Elizabeth. I hope to see you there!
peace,
Pastor Jessica.