December 12, 2018

​John 3:16  For God so Loved the World that he gave his only Son.
 
Fifteen or so years ago George and I went to Gainesville early in the Christmas season.  The various churches in town were representing different parts of the Christmas Story.  The story was acted out along and around the town square. The angel choir was singing from the roof of one of the buildings.  There were shepherds in costume and sheep.  I am sure the wisemen were represented as well.  The stable housed animals and Mary (Pam Morrow) and Joseph (Andy Morrow) with the baby Jesus. The stage was set for a wonderful Christmas season helping all of us see the meaning of the season.
 
Christmas is a wonderful time of the year.  However, we too often get caught up in shopping and decorating and do not take time to remember the reason for the season.  I look back on Christmas as a child when there was a stocking hung and filled with little trinkets, nuts, and candy.  There was a package to open on Christmas Eve that was always something new to wear to church.  And, there were two or three gifts on Christmas morning plus cards with $1 in them from grandparents.  We felt rich and we were.  We were rich.  We had a loving family that was a blessing for us all. 
 
Today, we sometimes do not take the time we should to enjoy the reason for this season.  It is Christ’s birthday.   He needs our gifts.  He needs our love – by loving our neighbor. That does not mean just the neighbor next door but the neighbors that do not have enough to eat or wear or a roof over their heads. He needs our time to deliver rice and beans or other edibles to those who are hungry. He needs us to tell his story to little ones, older ones, those in care centers. Christ needs us to witness for him. In this way we can share Christs love and caring.
 
Heavenly Father, we give you thanks for the Christ Child.  Guide us that we might use opportunities presented to us to share our gifts with others not as fortunate as we are. 
 
Linda Morrow