Christmas is ...

Christmas is like God, timeless and eternal.
Christmas is not just a season of a day in the year, but a condition of the heart.
Christmas is the message that there is hope for all humanity.

Christmas is love in action ~ giving, sharing, opening ourselves to others ~ loving ourselves and loving others.

Christmas is the celebration of a baby, born in a manger. A baby who lived and grew and loved and taught and gave of himself unselfishly for others and died and lives again. A baby who changed the world that was and changed the world that is and changed the world that will be.

Christmas is so much more than a moment or an hour or a day. It is life and living and death and dying and the event that brought heaven and earth into harmony in a manner that will not be seen again until God only knows. So, let’s celebrate, rejoice, praise God and share the message of a baby born in Bethlehem so many years ago!

Something to Think About - 7

"Veiled in Flesh" - Devotionals from the Peachtree Road Staff; Advent 2010

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory." ~ Ephesians 1:3-14

As fall unfolds, it’s not hard to look around and find the presence of God in many places. To see the vibrant colors emerging on trees and the coolness in the air offers credence that there is a larger presence in our world.

While there are visible signs everywhere, there are also every day blessings we receive from others – you just have to realize them. My family went through some health challenges and continues to, yet I constantly see God in my home. My husband has chronic hip and leg pain and it is difficult for him to walk, sit or stand. He can no longer enjoy the activities he use to such as playing tennis or golf, exercising or doing outdoor activities with our daughter. While this might be discouraging for some, he continues to amaze me with his effervescent attitude. Despite his constant severe discomfort, he wakes up happy, smiling and has an incredible outlook
every day – a true blessing by the grace of God.

As a result of witnessing her father’s pain, my daughter has become more sympathetic, empathetic, caring and thoughtful which will hopefully be a part of her soul for the rest of her life. I truly believe that out of an any adverse situation comes many blessings. Through God’s presence, I am lucky enough to be the recipient of many of these and live my life with two of them.

Robin King

Something to Think About - 6

"Bigger Than a Stable" - Crosswalk the Devotional - Dec. 8, 2010

By Katherine Britton, Crosswalk.com News & Culture Editor
"In that day you will say: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.'" - Isaiah 12:4-5

My felt Advent tree gains one velcro ornament each day until Christmas. I love this calendar, because each unique ornament tells a little bit more about the story of redemption from Genesis onward. A grey felt heart stands for the Fall into sin. A beaded crown reminds of the Prince of Peace and Wonderful Counselor foretold in Isaiah. A fuzzy lamb represents John the Baptist's announcement of Christ's purpose.

The calendar is paired with devotional readings for children, which have surprised me in their simplicity and breadth. Like the ornaments, these readings tell a continuing story, in which Christ's life is not the beginning or the end, but the event that makes sense out of both. With this bigger context, an otherwise chaotic history becomes simple enough that a child can understand.

How often do we take time to contemplate the magnitude of this story, which began in the Garden of Eden and won't finish until Christ's second coming?

I think my Christmas cheer is too often confined to the stable. To use a loose analogy, I'm a bit like the dwarves in C. S. Lewis's "The Last Battle," who convince themselves that their dingy stable-prison could not possibly hold the miracle of a whole new Narnia. And so, the dwarves get left behind in their imaginary confinement with nothing to celebrate when everyone else begins to explore the beautiful new world. Like the dwarves, I can put my little Christmas story in a little room, and forget to see the whole miracle of redemption.

Sunday's sermon about Herod's massacre in Bethlehem reminded me why the grander picture is so vital. You'll remember the story - only a short while after the angels announced "peace on earth," Herod's blazing temper led to the mass murder of baby boys in Bethlehem. The arbitrary deaths of these little ones seems so disconnected from what we celebrate, so outside the realm of God's grace. That event - like so many other injustices - seems to overwhelm the baby sleeping peacefully.

We can compartmentalize Christmas so it remains untainted by such events, can't we? But that's just it - as the grey heart on my felt Advent tree me, Christmas has to begin with an understanding of sin. We have to see the world's desperate need for grace before we understand why a baby requires such a hullaballoo, and we have to look back at God's plan to see how a baby can redeem even those situations. Therein lies the astonishing glory of what happened at Christmas, and the beauty of what we proclaim to the world.

As the days go by and my calendar grows fuller with symbolic ornaments, I get more and more excited about Christmas Day. Into this world with so much baggage came a child who remained in it and not of it, who knew what we are and loved us anyway. By God's grace, my understanding of Christmas keeps getting bigger - and with it, my reasons to "let [it] be known to the all the world" what he has done, is doing, and will continue to do!

Intersection of Faith and Life: Christ's incarnate birth makes little sense if we forget why he had to come and what he came to do. As you focus on the manger scene with your family, encourage each other with the bigger story of Genesis to the end of time, knowing that this little baby redeemed every moment in time. May your Christmas be big as your consider the grandeur of redemptive history on both sides of the manger!

http://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk%20devo/11641720/

Something to Think About - 6

Saturday, December 11th, 2010
CELEBRATE A SPIRIT-FILLED HOLIDAY.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel and the Holy Spirit was upon him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God (Luke 2:25–28).
It is hard to hold a baby and not wonder at the enormity of potential in such a small body. Simeon didn’t have to wonder about the baby he held—God had already spoken to him of this baby’s future through the Holy Spirit. Simeon held the “consolation of Israel” and knew the Holy Spirit was upon the baby Jesus.
It is common at this time of year to see Jesus only as the baby in the manger, reserving other thoughts of him for the rest of the year. When Simeon saw the baby, he saw the Savior he had been promised. How did he know? The Holy Spirit told him. Looking back at the passage, Jesus is not the central figure, nor is Simeon. The reason Simeon understood the significance of that moment in the temple was because the Holy Spirit led him to that place and gave him that understanding.
Simeon was righteous and devout. He was righteous because he was “right with God.” His relationship with God was not clouded with on-going sins; his habits and behaviors were in line with God’s will. Simeon was “devout,” which means he had set aside his life for service to God. Victor Raymond Edman, the fourth president of Wheaton College said, “The Spirit-filled life is no mystery revealed to a select few, no goal difficult of attainment. To trust and obey is the substance of the whole matter.” Simeon was Spirit-filled because he was righteous and devout.
Every day, God provides opportunities for his children to be his physical Presence in this world. That is why God gave Christians his Holy Spirit. Look back at Edman’s quote. You can choose to be Spirit-filled, but you must choose to trust and obey. Will you make that choice today? “You will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). This verse does not use “witness” as a verb. In Acts 1:8 God was describing what a Spirit-filled person becomes. May we be what we were gifted by the Holy Spirit to be. And may we, like Simeon, be “righteous and devout.”

By Janet Denison
The Center for Informed Faith

http://www.godissues.org/pdf/Advent_Devotional_2010.pdf

Something to Think About - 5

Thus says the Lord, you redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I, the Lord, your God, teach you what is for your good, and lead you on the way you should go. If you would hearken to my commandments, your prosperity would be like a river, and your vindication like the waves of the sea; your descendants would be like the sand, and those born of your stock like its grains, their name never cut off or blotted out from my presence. (Isaiah 48:17-19)

Reflection

The use of water as a metaphor of God, or for any good thing, is common in Hebrew Scriptures. Who should know more about the preciousness of water than a desert people like the Israelites?
Isaiah says our prosperity will be like a river. Have we let God’s love flow over us like a river, or are we stingy when we imagine it? Do we imagine God’s love as a trickle or a torrent?

Advent Action

Send a get-well card to someone in the hospital.

Ask St. Lucy to help us not to be blinded our personal goals, but to always seek what the Lord wants us to do.

Prayer

Lord, wash me and I shall be clean, bathe me in Your loving mercy and I shall be truly forgiven.

http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/advent/index.htm

A Letter To Santa From Mom

Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my two children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground and figured out how to attach nine patches onto my daughter's girl scout sash with staples and a glue gun.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find anymore free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes:

I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache after a day of chasing kids (in any color, except purple, which I already have) and arms that don't flap in the breeze but are strong enough to carry a screaming toddler out of the candy aisle in the grocery store. I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy. If you're hauling big ticket items this year I'd like a car with fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking daughter doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with one potty-trained toddler, two kids who don't fight and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools. I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting, ....

more at: http://barefootpreachr.wordpress.com

Name that Christmas Carol!

1. Listen, the celestial messengers produce harmonious sounds
2. Nocturnal time span of unbroken quietness
3. Exalted heavenly beings to whom harkened
4. An emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good news
given to the terrestrial sphere
5. Embellish the interior passageways
6. Twelve o’clock on a clement night witnessed its arrival
7. Small municipality in Judea southeast of Jerusalem
8. The Christmas preceding all others
9. Tranquility upon the terrestrial sphere
10. Move hitherward the entire assembly of those who are loyal in
their belief

How did you do? Did you guess them all? Check barefootpreachr.wordpress.com for the answers!

A Baby’s Lullaby

“While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” – Luke 2:6-7

“Hush little baby don't you cry
Daddy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything's gonna be all right
The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight”

Words that sound so familiar yet are slightly different. Words that bring blessed memories and thoughts of dreams that didn’t come true. Words that have the power to soothe the most broken-hearted and terrify within the same breath.

These lyrics are a new version of a classic children’s lullaby that has been sung to children across the world. I sang the lullaby to my children as I rocked them and comforted them in the middle of the night. I’m sure many of you have also, and many of you will also sing them to your grandchildren. But I find today that they have a new meaning for me.

Can you imagine this lullaby from the perspective of Joseph as he looked in wonder at his newborn son? The questions that must have raced through his mind! What about all of the fears, the doubts, the uncertainties of being privileged to be the daddy to the Son of God? And then the realization that God was being held in his arms. Talk about being awestruck with the miracle of birth, can you imagine?

And what about the young mother, Mary? After having been forced to ride a donkey for what probably felt like years in the condition of pregnancy she was in, now she would give birth in what amounted to a cave surrounded not by doctors, nurses or mid-wives, but by oxen and sheep. Then as her child, her son, was lifted up and wrapped in cloths and placed in her arms, she was able to look in to the eyes of God. What did he see, did he see the unconditional love that a mother feels for her child? Did she see His unconditional love?

As the human infant Jesus took his first breath, did he let out a cry? Did he feel the pain of separation from God the Father that we do? And I can’t help but wonder, if Mary sang him a lullaby to comfort him and reassure him -

“Hush little baby don't you cry
Mommy's gonna sing you a lullaby
Everything's gonna be all right
The Lord's gonna answer your prayer tonight”

During this time, I pray that you feel the love of your heavenly Father and that you are able to experience the awestruck wonder of a baby born in a manger in far-off Bethlehem more than two centuries ago. And maybe you can hear in the quiet stillness of the night the sound of a lullaby being sung to each of us with the voice of Our Heavenly Father.

Merry Christmas …..

~ Rev. Pat

What is Love?

The Bible Dictionary describes “Love” as “the very nature of God”. Love is oftentimes identified as the greatest of the Christian virtues. However, when googled on the internet, many different descriptions for “love” pops up, everything from a love calculator to love songs. But, what does it really mean?

When I think of Love, lots of things come to my mind, my husband, my son, and my close friends. Christmas usually conjures thoughts of Love as we buy special gifts for those we love. There are also many Bible verses concerning Love. One that particularly stands out is John 3:16. The New International Version says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life”.

Just think… “God gave His One and Only Son.” There truly is no greater love. I guess that I did not really comprehend this until I became a mother of a one and only son. My husband and I prayed for 8 years for a baby. God answered our prayers with the adoption of a precious 6 week old baby boy. I was completely overwhelmed with love for this baby the minute I laid eyes on him and my love for him has grown as each day passes. Prior to motherhood, I thought that I knew about “love”, but there is a much greater expansion to this single simple word when it refers to loving one’s own child. Sacrificing Jesus for Us is evidence of God’s amazingly incredible love for us. God knew when Jesus was born what was planned for Him and, yet God still gave us His Son. The nature of our God is truly a Love that we can just barely comprehend.

Praise be to God.

~ Samantha

Waiting................

He is a young college student, driving home for a weekend of home cooking. His parents pray for traveling mercies. And wait. Another is deployed so very far from his new beautiful bride. She prays for his safety and a phone call from him. She counts the days, the hours. And she waits. They have watched their first born leave the nest to build her own. They pray for her happiness and a visit. And they wait. She was a young, unmarried virgin, expecting a child. And engaged. Visited by the angel Gabriel, assured, she said, "I am the Lord's servant." And she waits.

At Advent, we prepare and we wait. We celebrate and remember the birth of our King, humbly in a stable. We sing, rejoice and give gifts. We praise our Father in heaven for the indescribable gift. And now, we wait for His return. For our eternity in heaven with Him. For glory forever. We wait.

Serving Him with our gifts given by Him, we too must say, "I am the Lord's servant." Love Him, Serve Him, Praise Him. Wait for Him. He is coming. Alleluia He is Coming ! We wait with joy at His return.

~ Rebecca

1 Corinthians 13, Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.

Love sets aside decorating to kiss the husband.

Love is kind, though harried and tired.

Love doesn't envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.

Love doesn't yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love doesn't give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can't.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust, but giving the gift of love will endure.

Merry CHRISTmas!
~ Author Unknown

God so loved the world

John 3:16 says that God so loved the world that He gave... Love is an action word. Love gives without expectation of return. Love gives because love wants the best for the one that is loved. God's love is unconditional. We cannot make God love us more by doing more. We cannot make God love us less by our failures.

The Bible is one love story broken into sixty-six books. The Bible shows us that God is a God of love from Genesis through Revelation. Romans 5:8 tells us that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Unconditional love does not wait for us to be perfect. Love loves regardless. He paid that price because He loves us not because we are worthy. He makes us worthy by His sacrifice.

1 Corinthians 13 tells us of God's agape love. We can rest secure in God's love. We know that God does not keep records of our wrongs. We are thankful that God's love is patient and kind and forgiving.

During this Advent season, we would do well to remember that we are loved. We should remember that God so loved us that He was willing to send Christ to pay our sin debt and if we accept that sacrifice, we no longer owe anything for our sins. Chris paid it all.

As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we can rejoice in the fact that our heavenly Father thinks we are fantastic. We can rejoice in the fact that we bring a warm smile to His face when He thinks of us. We can rejoice in the fact that we are the beloved of the Creator. We can rejoice in the fact that we have eternal life with our Father who will never condemn us. That is something to celebrate!

~ Ronnie

JOY!

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel which means ‘God is with us.’” - Matthew 1:23

 Daniel in the lion’s den
 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the fiery furnace

What’s the common denominator? In the midst of difficulty, God was with them. Being God, He could have easily saved them, transported them from their difficulties. Instead He chose to reveal His power through the trials, rather than remove them.

The Bible promises good things to those who seek the Lord, but there’s no guarantee this life will be easy. Trials and difficulties are a part of life.

In April of this year I was diagnosed with a rare but treatable form of cancer. Following my first surgery our water heater exploded and flooded our house. Then my grandmother passed away. I’ve been a Christian for 30 years, and the Lord was with me, but I struggled and cried and sought the Lord. Was this act of seeking and not understanding non-Christian behavior? No! I trusted God and found my joy in the fact He never wastes our present pains and trials.

Life was hard, but I found joy in the day-to-day relationship I had with my God. He never left me and I found that, despite my circumstances, I had joy. James 1:2 says when troubles come our way we should consider it an opportunity for joy.

During my time of great need, I knew God was with me and His nearness gave me joy. We can also rejoice in the fact we have a God who wants to be our intimate friend. He’s not far-removed in heaven on a throne. Jesus was God come to Earth and we can rejoice in the fact there’s no emotion or trial we will ever face that Jesus didn’t experience first-hand.

Joy comes in knowing God will NEVER leave you. He will never turn a deaf ear to your heartfelt prayers. He is interested in every detail of your life. God is with you! Rejoice!

~ Amy

Joyful! Joyful!

“The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.” – Psalm 28:7

In my closet I have an amazing number and variety of shoes that I have acquired over the years. Some of them are for use in the yard. Some are very specific for riding the motorcycle. Some are everyday work shoes. But some of them have a very special meaning and place in my heart – these are my party shoes! Whenever I put them on, whenever I look upon them, I am filled with good – even great! – memories and my spirit leaps with joy.

During this time of year, I can’t help but wonder if Mary felt that way when she found out she would be the mother of God? I don’t think so. Although we read in the first chapter of Luke, “And Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,” I think her head recognized the difficulties that lay before her. I also believe she was able to find the strength of her faith in the faithfulness of God.

Have you ever been in that place where something seems insurmountable and yet, you are certain that God has determined your place in His greater plan? Several times in my life circumstances have threatened to overwhelm me and given me doubts that have crippled my spirit for a period of time. One of those times came when I was only twenty-two years old and just weeks away from getting married.

My husband-to-be and I had just spent a fun-filled weekend with his family at Disneyworld and were driving home when we fell asleep and crashed into a tree. I woke up with blood and glass in my eyes and my legs crushed under the collapsed dash of the car. As the paramedics worked to get us out of the car they realized that one of my legs was impaled and the ankle of my other leg was definitely broken. After x-rays and several other tests in the hospital I found out I had seven breaks in the right ankle and my left knee would need reconstructive surgery at a later date. (So much for me being able to dance at my own wedding!) The week after the cast came off I had further complications from the accident and spent another few days in the hospital. Finally, we were married and beginning our life together.

Life together for us started out full of the excitement of being newlyweds and the adventure of moving to a new home together. But we also found ourselves dealing with our share of problems, especially when my knee reconstruction surgery was completed only four months later. Plans for romantic dinners and dancing in nice clubs were put on hold as I learned how to walk again. Two years after this ordeal began, my hubby and I realized that the dreams we thought we wanted for our lives had been replaced by a sense of satisfaction in simpler things and new dreams were being born.

What in the world does all of this have to do with party shoes? Well, God shared a sign with me one afternoon shortly before my surgery and it has helped me so many times since then. While I was shopping that particular afternoon I came across a little porcelain figurine of a boy pulling a wagon with a little girl riding atop their belongings piled in the cart. She was holding a Bible and the title of that figurine was “Walking By Faith”. Wow! That piece so captured what had been happening in my life up to that point, and in the days since then.

So, now when I look on those party shoes – or any of my shoes, I can not help but be reminded of a young woman who held on to the faithfulness of her God and joyously surrendered herself to his plans for her life. And I pray that I can also walk with faith in the plans God has for my life, always being thankful for what He has given each of us. My heart can not help but dance for joy!

~ Rev. Pat

Letting Go

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” – John 14:27

Chaos would be a great way to describe my everyday living over the past few months. Chaos is definitely the “anti-peace.” It’s a little bit like fighting gravity. Have you ever felt like this? Felt like you were living just to get from moment to moment? This may be exactly where God wants us to be …this is where we find Him. Chaos is where He can do amazing things. When we have no control & the only solution comes through Him. It is where Prayer becomes “Help me survive today!” For me…. This is where God forced me to slow down and realize how much He loves me and how the Body of Christ represented that to me. This is when peace came.

Peace is defined as a state of tranquility or quiet, but also as freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions. (Webster.com) Our thoughts are where the enemy tries to get us; where some of the toughest battles are fought, but where God wants to be forefront…to give us tranquility and peace.

“I’m letting go of the life I planned for me and my dreams. I’m losing control of my destiny. It feels like I’m falling and that’s what it’s like to believe, so I’m letting go” ~Battistelli, et al

Lord, Please provide me with Your peace that surpasses understanding today. Guard my mind from chaos and keep me in your perfect peace.

~ Elizabeth

An Event for Everyone

“There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." - Luke 2:8-12 (MSG)

I used to love to listen to Paul Harvey, and his "Rest of the Story" radio segments. I just love to think about the story that goes before, behind and after the tales we talk about and remember. The entire Old Testament lies as the before story - several millennia since Abram's name was changed and God promised him a blessing. His descendants knew from all the scriptures that had been written since that God would send a redeemer from their current mediocrity. I like to envision those shepherds setting up their temporary camp at the end of a busy day and after their equivalent of prime-time TV, they settled in and started to rest. Someone was watching the sheep and they would likely take turns during the night.

Have you ever tried to get teenagers to get to sleep in such a situation? If they aren't exhausted there can be a lot of giggling and chattering and the adults are repeating, "go to sleep" for the umpteenth time. Finally there is peace... The gentle sounds of the sheep and maybe the crickets...

SUDDENLY! All the lights are on and trumpets are BLARING!!!

Who wouldn't be shocked and stunned? Even having seen huge blockbuster movies we would all be amazed and speechless. Add to it the pure supernaturalness of God's glory and we are all puddles of humility.

I know they were expecting something, but they had stopped expecting it NOW.

As we run headlong into the "Christmas Season" or worse the "Holiday Season" as defined by the media and marketing gurus... DON'T STOP EXPECTING JESUS TO SHOW UP! I want to go to bed expectantly and hopefully that just as I fall asleep, Christmas will come again into my life. Better yet, into each patient moment and all year long!

Merry Christmas, Christmas people!!!

~ Roger

The Approaching Season

“And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.” - Luke 2: 9-10 (NKJV)

While standing in line at a local super store the other day, I overheard a lady complaining about another Christmas fast approaching. She went on to lament about how glad she would be when the season was over and how she hated standing in even longer lines and driving in increased traffic. The person she was talking too said that while her children got excited about Christmas, she was not looking forward to the extra company in her home and having to spend “all that extra money.” For just about two seconds I could almost relate to their attitude. I used to think just like they did about Christmas. My family even nicknamed me “The Grinch.” I had the ability to steal just about anyone’s Christmas Joy. Christmas was not a good time for me. But then I thought about how my attitude toward Christmas had changed. When I accepted Christ, God put a love in my heart for Christmas. This is the day we celebrate God’s greatest gift to man. The gift of his only son, Jesus!

Yes, I can relate to how a secular world feels about a holiday that over the years has become commercialized, over advertised, and even political. Retail organizations have started promoting and decorating for the Christmas shopping season way before Halloween. Many local governments will not allow decorations that depict a religious theme on their property. Society has tried to take the birth of Christ out of the very holiday that exists to celebrate that birth. The focus of Christmas has shifted from celebrating Jesus’ birth to lights, trees, gifts, Santa Claus, and more gifts. We all are involved in the secular aspects of Christmas; it’s almost impossible not to be.

So here is my challenge to you (and myself). As the Advent season approaches, commit to focusing on the real reason for the season. Read the Christmas Story found in Luke chapter 2: 1-18. If you have children read it to them. Remember the joy of your salvation and apply it to this awesome time of year. Share your joy and the Christmas Story with someone who needs joy. Your attitude about Christmas is a choice. You can choose to be joyful or not. Choose joy and share it!

Oh yeah, remember the Grinch? I’m still the Grinch in my family. The Grinch finally found the joy of Christmas, and his heart grew 3 times its normal size. That’s me!

~ Rev. Tom

Coming Home

“So he got up and went to his father.”But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” – Luke 15:20

This morning I heard a song on the radio as I was pulling into my parking space at work. It was about a man that had a message on his home phone that had been there for many years. The message was for his wayward daughter it case she called. It said something to the effect “what ever you have done, I love you, wherever you have been you can come home.” He hadn’t talked to her in many years but the song said she called and heard the message that she needed to hear.

A few minutes after hearing that song I arrived at my desk and the man next to me, who is the part-time pastor of a church, told me about a message he had just listened to from a family who had just lost a 14 year old daughter and were concerned that she was going to hell. He asked me what I thought he could tell them.

I told him about the song that I had just heard and that I think God has that message on his answering machine for all of us all of the time. That’s what Jesus came to tell us with his life and message. The prodigal son story says that clearly.

We were recently talking in Disciple 1 class about what it means to be made in the image of God. To me it means that we can love people the way God does, we don’t do that all the time, but we have the capacity when we are at our best; when we are most in touch with God. That song reflects the capacity to love as God does.

During the holiday season we all think about gathering, coming home, or remembering times when we did. Don’t miss the call of the gospel, the message from God, the reason for the season. We are welcome all the time, no matter what we have done and no matter where we have been. God loves you, and even me.

~ Rev. Dr. Scott

An Angel in a Barn

“Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?” - Hebrews 1:14

Have you ever seen an angel? I have watched one work in a barn! Her name is Joan, nice name for an angel. Our car care ministry has many workers doing many different jobs. This is how the body of Christ operates ideally. Joan's job is feeding the workers and those being served. She brings a casserole from heaven--eggs, cheese, potatoes, bacon--yes, straight from heaven! And we are fed a wonderful breakfast for our tummies. But, her angelic work only begins there. Joan loves on everyone that comes into that dusty old barn/car repair garage. She hugs each one, smiles at each one and truly listens to each and every persons concerns. Her love accomplishes so much more in the waiting area than the mechanics do in the repair area. Folks leave with better brakes or oil changes. But, they take away something much more valuable, they take the love of Jesus Christ given by an angel named Joan.

As we wait, as advent approaches, we too must be the hands and feet of Jesus. Some of the hands get pretty dirty with lots of greasy fingernails. Others, like those of angel Joan Garling, reach out in love and touch the hearts of everyone she meets. Joan is now being an angel back in New York. How blessed are they! How we miss her sweet beautiful smile and spirit. We will see many angels this Christmas season, reminding us of the angels that announced to frightened shepherds of the coming of our Messiah.

But, I will be reminded of the angel in the barn, sweet loving Joan. Her light shines the love of Jesus, Christmas and always. Praise God for His angels among us all!

~ Rebecca

The Peace that Guards my Heart

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:6-7

During Advent, I like to slow down and look back at the year and see where I am spiritually. Are my relationships healthy? Are there any new bad habits? Do my priorities still reflect a Christ-centered life? This is hard if I am being completely honest with myself.

I recently attended a healing service at my church. I was astounded at the number of people who went up to the altar to be anointed and prayed over with hands on them. Some went up two and three times. As I sat in my pew and prayed for those individuals, I realized that I needed to go up, too. For too long I carried a burden that I finally realized I could not ‘fix’. As I prayed at the altar, I left the burden there and immediately felt at peace as I let God take it.

The world has been tough on so many of us this year. If we attempt to deal with it all by ourselves, we quickly are overcome with anxiety, fear or failure. We must remember we are assured that whatever burden we carry, our prayers will be heard, and even when we don’t know what to pray, that the Holy Spirit is pleading for us. (Romans 8:26)

Prayer: Loving Father, thank you for the peace you provide and the promise of eternal life through your Son. May each of us claim the peace in our salvation and respond with shouts of joy and heartfelt worship in our love for Jesus every day. Amen

~ Marty