Christmas memories, I hope and pray that your Christmas memories of the past and for this year are good and healthy ones. Thanks to so many of you for the Christmas cards and gifts and to the congregation at large for the gift card.
With a national tragedy that focuses upon the loss of the lives of children and teachers in one school lingering over us, we need to be sure and reach deeper within to find the joy of Christmas. Perhaps this is the year to get out the old photo album and ponder over Christmases past or to sing that favorite carol.
I encourage each of us to focus upon the gift of the “prince of peace,” Jesus Christ. Jesus came into a challenging world. Even in response to his birth, the Bible tells us that Bethlehem met tragedy with the loss of life of the first born sons. With tragedy and violence all around, Jesus brought good news into the world. May each of us rediscover that good news within our lives.
I so appreciate the activities at Grace Church this Christmas Season. From the lighting of the Christmas tree and Advent wreath to the Cookie Walk, to the children and youth bringing a Sunday service to us, to Santa’s Visit, to my opportunity to bring the Christmas message to you and the Christmas Eve services, the season has created its special memories that will inspire us to walk with Jesus in the coming year. May that year we call 2013 be a time where Christ’s love is poured down upon the world with hope and love.
In his Peace,
Pastor Dennis