Something Old, Something New
As I sit here wondering what kind of article I need to write for this December/January issue of the Chronicle…DUH! That is like asking what are we are going to focus on in the month which includes Christmas. Well let‘s see, maybe a study on Leviticus? Now I am sure that someone out there could do a masterful job of teaching about the birth of Christ through the book of Leviticus. I am just not that sharp.
Obviously, we are remembering the birth of Jesus during the month of December and then probably something about the beginning of a new year during January. As far as Christmas is concerned, how many creative ways can we come up with to retell the story of the birth of Jesus? The Christmas themes of Hope, Love, Joy, and Peace are pretty much the same as last year and the year before that and the year… you get it.
So what‘s different about this year? What‘s new? What has changed? I have changed. I don‘t know about you, but I am different this December than last December. Maybe for the better, perhaps for the worse, but different.
We have experienced different highs and lows in 2011. I‘ve changed and you’ve changed. And because we‘ve changed, the truths of the Christmas story will impact our lives in different ways this year than last. The truths are the same. They are solid. They are consistent. They are real. But you and I have changed.
The story may be old, but the truth is ever new. I pray that your heart will be open to the truth of the story of the birth of Christ this Christmas season. I pray that the truths will impact your life in a new and life changing way. It‘s the old story that makes a new impact in our lives this year.
We are planning special Christmas services for December 17/18 when the children of our Children‘s Church and Sunday School will be reliving the Christmas story. And, on December 23, we will celebrate Jesus‘ birth with our Christmas ?Eve Eve? service. We also look forward to having two Christmas Eve services on the 24th, at 3 pm and 7 pm. Because Christmas Day falls on Sunday this year, we are also planning a special, informal time of carols and communion on the 25th at 6 pm. I hope to see you at some of these special occasions, and that your Christmas celebrations this year will indeed impact your life in a fresh new way this year!
See you at church?
Bill