Joy to the World, the Lord has come. Let Earth receive her King. This is the familiar theme of Advent, a period from Dec. 1 to 25 which explains how Jesus Christ came into the world. For seven years, Pastor Kate Pinkham has delivered her Advent sermons at Edgecomb Community Church. However, this year’s sermon is a little different.

For the second and third Advent weeks, her sermons were inspired by pastor-author Matt Rawle, whose his 2016 book explored whether Ebeenezer Scrooge’s change of heart in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” was inspired by the teachings of Jesus Christ. On Dec. 8, Pinkham discussed Scrooge’s journeys with Christmas Past and Christmas Present. On Dec. 15, she delved into Scrooge’s trip into Christmas Future. 

“I discovered the book a couple years ago and thought it was an interesting topic,” she said. “Basically, the message is if someone like Scrooge can be redeemed, then we all can which I think is a great Christmas message.”

As Christmas Day approaches, Pinkham also plans on including more traditional Biblical stories from the New Testament books Matthew, Luke  and John, as well as other prophets describing Christ’s birth. On Christmas Eve, Pinkham begins the story of the birth with how an angel came to Mary and explained she was going to have a “special” baby.

“My favorite Christmas story is how God loves us so much, he gave us his only Son to show us a different way of living and sent a baby. The most humblest, weakest life form to show us amazing love,” she said. 

In conjunction with Advent, the Edgecomb church is conducting “The Magic of Christmas” this month. Activities include a bake sale, community concert, labyrinth walk, and chili supper. At the thrift shop, church members Carol Colby and Sue Sikes organized a bake sale. It drew a large crowd and featured other activities such as “Pop the Balloon,” which raised money for Boothbay Region Community Resource Council’s fuel assistance program; and a face painting activity.

“We had a good time, and it was a way for people looking for bargains to stop by and get more acquainted with the church,” Pinkham said. 

On Dec. 21, the church is sponsoring a Candlelight Winter Solstice Labyrinth Walk and Family Christmas Activities, Supper and Concert. The event runs from 4 to 7 p.m. at the church. The main attraction is singer Katie McDonnell who performs from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The event begins at 4 p.m. with a family movie followed by arts and crafts. Participants will make birdfeeders and Christmas ornaments. This is followed by face painting led by artist Em Lehouillier.

At 5 p.m. is a community meal featuring chili, cornbread, salad and a baked potato bar. Later, Pinkham will read “Bear Stays Up for Christmas.” The last activity prior to McConnell’s performance is walking the labyrinth by candlelight beginning at 5:45 p.m.

The Sunday before Christmas will be an untraditional service. The church is sponsoring a Celtic Prayer Service at 9:30 a.m. The service begins with a community breakfast followed by fellowship featuring an emphasis on the Earth’s and nature’s relationship to God, along with prayers and poetry.

The final Advent service is on Christmas Eve. The nearly three dozen congregation members will be joined by friends, relatives and others looking to celebrate the birth of Christ. Pinkham will read scripture, the congregation will sing Christmas carols, and the final Advent candle will be lit. There is no Christmas morning service. Only when Christmas falls on a Sunday does Edgecomb Community Church hold a Christmas Day service.