A Christmas message from the Pastor…..

“Therefore, keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back…..”  That’s how the writer of the Gospel According to Mark speaks of preparation for the birthing of God’s promise for salvation.  God planned, all along, to become human in an effort to reach a lost and hurting world.  God’s plan was successful, as we have come to know, and the story of Christ’s first coming has changed the world.

As we prepare for Christmas, our Sanctuary is already decorated.  The choir is practicing music they will perform together with the chancel choir at the First United Methodist Church.  A program has been planned for the Kids for God.  The tree is up and ready for you to select names at the Rusk County Hospital.  Our Advent Devotional has been completed and made available at worship during the first Sunday in Advent.  The Christmas luncheon is being planned for the entire church family to feast together.  The Worship Committee has planned for worship not only on Christmas Eve, but also on Christmas morning and on New Year’s Day, too.

Yet, through all of this hustle and bustle (just like at your house) the Gospel writer advises us to keep watch and to get prepared.  Whew! What more could we do?  Maybe that’s just it. Maybe God wants us to know that we are responsible only to prepare, only to get ready, only to be on watch.  God will do the rest.  God will bring the surprise.  God will provide for salvation – for us and millions and millions of others over thousands of years.  God’s work is beyond our comprehension, and beyond our worthiness.  But God actually wants to do the work, so that we can have a rich relationship with our Creator and with all humanity.  Wow.  What a God.

My prayer for you this Christmas season is for you to recognize and perhaps even to fall in love with the Creator who would do whatever is necessary to bring you and the Holy One into right relationship.  For nothing and no one is more important to God than you are.

For, “to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”  What a magnificent gift to us all. 

Blessed Christmas!

Candice