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Good morning.
Just over three weeks ago I was in America celebrating Thanksgiving.  It is my favourite holiday – a time when family and friends gather, eat a lovely meal together, and express thanks for blessings in their lives.  Although it’s followed by ‘Black Friday’, a manic shopping and sales day, Thanksgiving itself is a good deal less commercial and hectic than the holiday season that follows, which is part of why I like it.
This year, though, there was a definite tension associated with Thanksgiving, and it stemmed from the US presidential election that occurred earlier in November.  Obviously the subject of the election has been a source of unease for Americans.  Like our own Brexit vote, the US election has divided families and friends along political and social fault lines that many of us were largely unaware of before now.
As Thanksgiving approached, people spoke of being reluctant to gather together for the traditional celebration, for fear that talk around the table would turn to politics and spoil the day. 
In just over a week, families here and in America will be sitting down together again, to share food and company over the Christmas holiday – and while the tension is possibly a little less potent, I think there’s still a sense of unease about this too.
But apprehension and anticipation always has been very much part of this holiday season.  And the Christian season of Advent is about expectation: preparing a place in our lives and hearts for the coming Christ child. 
What if we all prepared a little extra room for tolerance of the beliefs and traditions of everyone, regardless of religious or political affiliation?  That would also be something to look forward to.
God of all people, shine your light on us all, in this season of light, and help us to see the light in each other. Amen.