1000. Christmas! This December we begin our season of advent with Hanging the Greens on Saturday the 1^st, then we have our Community Meals every Wednesday this month and then Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, ending the month with worship the day before New Year’s Eve. We also will be having a special weekday worship service we are calling “Food for the Soul” which will be later in the evening and include a meal and communion specifically for those who find it difficult to come to Sunday worship services due to work or other obligations. Christmas is all about giving, God giving us a promised gift which requires nothing to receive other than faith. This season of celebrating God’s gift to us is meant to build within ourselves the blessed assurance of God’s love and mercy. We remember Christ’s humble entrance into our world, and as we accept this gift we build up a family of God here for the purpose of sharing the light of Christ. I encourage you all to embrace the Spirit and join hands with your brothers and sisters in Christ as we remind the world of the reason we have a Christmas season. For those who have lost the meaning of Christmas, let us be ambassadors of the Light. For those who don’t know God, let us be examples of God’s love. For those who have no one to celebrate with, let us be their family. For those who feel unworthy of gifts or love, let us be the ones to love them unconditionally; just as Christ loves us. Let us welcome all into this house and family of God who seek to live in peace with one another. Hear again the words of the angel and heavenly host: “Do not be afraid, for see-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. This will be sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” Luke 2:10-14.

Let’s be unified in sharing the Good News and Great Joy of Christmas! Let us give and receive the gifts of Love, Light, and Peace wherever we are, and may God brighten whatever paths we are walking with Grace and Joy! Merry Christmas!

Pastor Donnie Holt