From The Pastor’s Desk

Matthew 18:20, “For where two or more are gathered in my name, there I am with them.”

Every Christmas Eve since before I was born, my family (all my aunts, uncles, and cousins) gathered to celebrate Christmas. We eat, laugh, and tell stories. All the kids love to hear of our family's Christmases past and all the good times we had during the holiday seasons. Love truly abounds in our home. Even though everyone always gathered at my parents’ home, either Momma or Daddy and I would slip out to attend Church for Communion each year. It was our way of taking time from our busy night to celebrate the special eve before Christ’s birth. 

Now, Jimbo, Meigs, and I make sure that we spend a few extra moments celebrating Communion together on Christmas Eve as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Christ’s Birth. It has become our tradition every year. As preparations are being made around town and in homes, we must prepare our hearts with many others in the wake of His birth. Therefore, I hope this year you will be able to gather with one another and celebrate Christ’s special day.

Traditions begin in many ways. Here is a story that may become a family tradition for many generations. It is the heartwarming viewpoint of a four-year-old. Sunday morning after church, his mother, Dawn, asked little Clint, “Did you have a good day at church?” Clint said, “Yes, we learned about “Admint” and that she likes to wear purple, and we lit the first candle.” Dawn realized that “Admint” was indeed Advent and that his Sunday school teacher had taught the class that purple is the color of the season and that I wore purple stoles. We lit the first purple candle as Clint sat in church that morning. I hope that the Advent tradition has always been with him and that one day, he will share his memories of that year with his children. 

May we thank God for our family, friends, and those we gather with as we celebrate! Let us not forget the true meaning and sing Happy Birthday to our Savior.

See you on Sunday. 

Misty