I am so grateful to any of you that assisted us in providing food for the over 35 families from LFC, toys for a few others and helping some outside our walls as well. Thanks to those in our choir, worship team, children and others who are participating in our two Christmas Eve services, at 5 and 7 pm. I am praying for all the people that have been invited to come to our services and to those of you who will be bringing others with you that don’t now the Savior.
Thanks to all those that helped with free gift-wrapping Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights this week. Hundreds of gifts were wrapped and lots of people were able to see the joy of Jesus through the heart of serving – thank you all. And thanks in advance to an amazing team who have been working on our one Christmas day service at 9:00 am too. It will be a great time. We will have a simple treat for all the kids that come that day too, so break away from your Christmas toys and gather with us for about an hour on Christmas morning.
Christmas time is here
Happiness and cheer
Fun for all that children call
Their favorite time of the year
Snowflakes in the air
Carols everywhere
Olden times and ancient rhymes
Of love and dreams to share
Sleigh bells in the air
Beauty everywhere
Yuletide by the fireside
And joyful memories there
Christmas time is here
We’ll be drawing near
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year
Oh, that we could always see
Such spirit through the year…
That song has always caught my attention and I love the Charlie Brown version, the Bebo Norman version is great too. I never stopped to take a look at the Charlie Brown version until this writing. I love this, “Christmas time is here, we’ll be drawing near, Oh that we could always see such spirit through the year.” That spirit of hope that seems to fill hearts, since Christmas is about hope in the world as Jesus came to earth. A spirit of joy, sharing, generosity and singing – some who rarely sing, will take an attempt at singing Christmas carols. Most of all, people are more open to hearing about the birth of Jesus in the manger and hopefully the birth of Jesus in their hearts – Christmas time is here. The beauty that you and I can direct people to “The Prince Of Peace”–Jesus! When they come to know Him, new and eternal life is extended to them.
“He Himself is our peace…” (Ephesians 2:14)
So, do I wish you “Merry Christmas”? Sure!
Do I hope for your “Peace, hope, laughter”, and times with family and friends? Absolutely!
But more importantly, I echo the words of the Apostle Paul:
“I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19)
That is my Christmas wish for you…and for all of us!
Christmas Time is Here, embrace it and open to Christ,
Merry Christmas,
Pastor Bernie Federmann
December 24th, 2011 at 3:12 AM
Wonderful prayer for all of us, thank you for your service Pastor B