Advent-Christmas 2007

Dear Friends,

Peace be with you this Season of Advent. For many this is the busiest time of year as days and weeks move quickly toward Christmas. There is the energetic bustle of the Holiday Fair and all those who contribute in untold ways to its success; the gift party book drawing at the ham and bean supper; the pageant rehearsals and all the planning that goes into that. On the home front there just might be boxes of decorations to be unpacked and put in their rightful holy day places; then there are the cards to be sent, gifts to be purchased and parties to attend. Have you every stopped in your tracks to wonder why you put yourself through this exercise year after year? We get so caught up in the rhythm because it's what everyone else does - it's the thing to do.

The lessons of Advent, however, help us to pause and reflect on the promise of the one who is to come again - ending whiff the beginning of the greatest story ever told. God gave you and me - and everyone throughout history - His only begotten Son to live and move and be among us. One of us. We are His and He is ours. This ancient of stories is what we try each year to bring into our homes and lives. "I am bringing you good news of great joy for ALL the people: to you is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord."

No matter how we might try to bring all of this home, we really can't do it justice. We need the community of faith at prayer, worship, and song to enrich the glorious power of the story. Please come and help reenact the story of the Holy Birth once again.

Merry Christmas from our home to yours!

Peggy