Linus: Sure Charlie Brown, I can tell you what Christmas is all about. Lights please?
"And there were in the same country shepherds, abiding in the field,
keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord
came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them! And
they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, “Fear not! For,
behold, I bring you tidings o great joy, which shall be to all my
people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour,
which is Christ, the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall
find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And
suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host
praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on Earth
peace, and good will toward men."
That’s what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown.
In 1965, Charles Schultz penned this scene for the Peanuts Christmas special. This beloved show spoke a message of hope to a world wracked with turmoil, war, and, and like it needed it fifty-three years ago, the world needs this message just as much today. We may appear safe from the cares of the world, tucked into the safe embrace of the Bitterroot Valley, but we know better, don’t we?
Each year during Advent we are called to explore how we can celebrate Christmas with the understanding that the greatest gift we receive is the love of Jesus and the greatest gift we can give is Jesus’ love to our neighbor.
This year our Advent/Christmas devotional writers were asked to chose from among the multitude of the Names of Jesus with each entry speaking to the meaning of the chosen name for that writer. What was shared was a rich collection of heart-felt words of hope, trust, love, and life. In the midst of busy lives, the authors made the time and took the effort to share what Jesus means to them. These devotional entries can be found on our Facebook page and on our blog, www.steviumc.blogspot.com.
Our music ministry shared their praise of Emmanuel on the 61st Hanging of the Greens service on December 2 (it can be seen on our You Tube channel). Our children shared their love of God with their pageant on December 16th (it can be seen on our You Tube channel). The residents at The Living Center will celebrate the birth of the Messiah with Christmas pageant and communion at The Living Center on Christmas Eve at 1:30 pm. And finally, we will celebrate the birth of our Savior and the 200th anniversary of “Silent Night” with the 7:00 pm worship service at the church.
May the time we spend together with Christ this month be a good foundation for us to build upon as we worship and serve God together in 2019.
Every blessing,
Pastor Charles
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