Good Morning, What a difference 24 hours can make! This morning, though, the temperature is 33, we have a strong northwesterly wind, so the wind chill is only 19. There is a dusting of snow on the ground and I wonder if there is ice out on the sidewalks and streets. I will be careful when I leave so I dont experientially find out! Its going to be winter today - yesterday was spring - isnt that going backwards with the seasons? Yesterday we had nursing home services. It was a nice crowd; we shared the Christmas story together. It was especially special to me because today would have been my mamas 85th birthday. Being in a nursing home where she spent her last years made it seem a little closer to her. She loved the holidays. Last night I took part in a memorial service for those who have passed away this last year. Again, a memory. It was so helpful... Today begins planning in earnest for the Christmas eve service. The singers have all come forth, the players for the skit have been located and now we wait for the practices to begin. Its a wonderful time of celebrating the birth of Christ. We have been discovering the wonder of Christmas this whole Advent season and so we will continue right up to Christmas Eve. In the middle of all these activities I began to wonder what people celebrate who dont believe in Christ? Do they celebrate the gift-giving or just not celebrate? My heart becomes sad when I think of that. Do they have nativities at their homes? Do they read the Christmas story or just start opening gifts? Do they speak about what they will give to Jesus or is He left out? The grandkids are older now and so the excitement isnt as great on Christmas morning. We can have a leisurely breakfast, read the Christmas story and do a little discussing before we even turn our attention to the gifts; when little ones are around, that isnt easy to do. This year as Christmas approaches begin to plan your morning. How will you slow it down? Will you prepare little gifts to put in the nativity? Perhaps you could write on little slips of paper what you plan to give Jesus this year and lay them near the manger of the nativity like Sharon Jaynes family does. Perhaps you could spend a little extra time as you visit to make sure each person has thought of something they might give to Him - 5 extra minutes with Him before you begin your day would be a great one. Whatever you do this year on Christmas, make sure Christ is the focus. Blessings, Pastor Becky
Posted on: Mon, 15 Dec 2014 11:29:46 +0000
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