Hope all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Archie and I got together with some of his family and some of mine on the Friday after turkey day. But of course we were fed turkey and all the trimmings just the same. It was all wonderful and especially to go out and play ball with the kids and take a little time to relax.
Now – ADVENT – what a wonderful time set apart for preparation and looking forward to what is to come. We are to be preparing our hearts for the coming of the Christ child. Also we are to be preparing our hearts for the second coming of our Lord. As we look around the parking lots at the shopping centers it seems that many folks must do all this preparation by shopping. My lament for December – O that we would see the parking lots of our churches as full as those at the mall.
I received a wonderful email today with a song called “Where’s the Line to See Jesus?” It’s about a little boy who has been brought up in church. As he sees all the kids lining up to see Santa in the mall he asks the question, “where’s the line to see Jesus?” Another lament – O that all the children raised in church would ask that question. You can listen to the song here.
It seems that I have several laments for this time of year and I try to do all I can to turn them around. I smile a lot. When I go shopping I try to encourage folks to be nice to those around them. If there is going to be pushing and shoving – O that the pushing and shoving would be in order to find a pew and have a seat in church. Yes, we will see folks here on Christmas Eve that we don’t see any other time of the year so let’s greet them with open arms and make them feel especially welcome.
The kid’s pageant is always a wonderful way to celebrate the coming of Jesus. It peaks the excitement of young minds to learn about the birth of the Savior. Hopefully to have them light the Advent candles this year will bring more meaning into the significance of the light – that Jesus truly is the “Light of the World”, and then hopefully that light will never go out for them.
I am excited about our goings on at Emmanuel during the month of December. The church looks beautiful all decorated for the season. Bring your friends along to feel the hope, peace, joy, and love that’s in the air during this Christmastime – and hopefully all year long.
Christmas Blessings to all,
