IN MY WORDS – Have you ever been involved in a church Christmas program?

They may range from a very small event to a full scale production. My husband and I have been involved in programs for years and find much fulfillment and enjoyment in leading an excellent presentation of music, drama and worship to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This year we are helping in a new church plant and at this point, most of our people are new converts so the event will be more small scale.

On the other side, we just returned from a full scale production in Long Island at our favorite church, Bethel UPC. A 90 voice choir, music and drama starting at the Old Testament promises, to the Nativity all the way up to the Day of Pentecost! Amazing and truly glorifying God.  They are reaching thousands of people with the full Gospel message in the course of a few weeks. I pray new souls will be won through all their major efforts and commitment. 

Whether a program is small or grand, I pray that our hearts will be filled with worship and our message rings clear: Christ is born, our Savior has come. And oh how we need a Savior!

Be bold this Christmas, share Christ.

Talk of His goodness.

Sing all those beautiful carols and reach out to those around you.

And lend your full participation to any outreach your church is doing to share the Christmas story.

Question: What does your church do for Christmas? Candlelight service? Christmas caroling?

Please share your ideas in a comment.

THE WORD – Christmas is the season of light…and the light of the stars.

During this busy time of year take a moment to STOP.

Look upward and gaze at the beautiful night sky.

The God we love and serve keeps track of every star and names them!

I find that incredible. What a wondrous, amazing, loving, Creator.

If He gives such thought to the stars in the heavens, how  much more does He watch over and care for you?

I challenge you to look at the stars tonight.

And to remember how deeply Jesus loves you.

IN OTHER WORDS – ” Mothers hold their child’s hand for a moment and their heart for a lifetime.”

Yes, she still holds my heart. Dec. 3rd will mark 19 years since my mother crossed that line over into Heaven’s glory. I cannot believe it is that long. I still feel the deep ache in my heart and long to have just one more conversation.

Because my mother died right after Thanksgiving, the holiday always brings back those memories. And at Thanksgiving, I once again give thanks for my mother. I remember her encouragement and kindness. Her understanding and compassion. A simple woman who never asked much for herself. Always looking out for others and embracing those who may have otherwise been ignored or forgotten.  A determined woman who diligently sought the Lord and prayed for truth in her life and for her family. She left a “religion” to discover a Pentecostal experience and a “joy unspeakable and full of glory.” I will never forget the joy in her heart that shone through her, a true light of Christ in this dark world. My  mother loved Jesus, first and foremost. She believed in the scripture to love God with all her heart, mind and soul. Her Bible is tattered and torn and filled with notes. Her prayer list was written, added to, written over again. She didn’t just pray for individuals, she prayed for churches, for organizations, for entire countries. She fought the hard battles of sickness and disease. Of rejection and disappointments. Oh, but what a reward she has now! I thank God for blessing me with this amazing woman and for granting me the honor to care for her in her last days.And oh, what a glorious reunion we will have one day!

If you have lost a loved one and the holidays are difficult, remember Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us. Draw close to Him and He will draw close to you. We have a faithful Father and I pray your holiday season will be blessed with His love and goodness. May God surround you with the comfort and strength of His beautiful presence.