Good Morning!
Thanksgiving is over – the last of the pumpkin pie is gone and Christmas wreaths are replacing the pumpkins and mums on our porches. The church is beautifully decorated and we are quickly getting in the Christmas spirit. But like everything else, the Christmas spirit can be deceiving. So we all need to be cautious of how we spend it.
We could spend our time and energy on buying and impressing and working overtime in the kitchen. We could accept every invitation and exhaust ourselves with an overbooked calendar. We could fill every day with activities and cooking and wrapping gifts. Those are all good things. But, have you noticed that too much of a good thing turns out to take your joy away rather than add to it?
And joy is the goal of Christmas……. not to miss one tiny second of the miracle of the birth of Christ is the goal. And a beautiful goal it is!
So, choose well, y’all! Make sure that in all the things you are doing, Christ is in the center. How will you know? Well, he has already shown us. If Christmas is wrapped around all the things that Jesus did and was and is, you will be just fine! Love and hope and mercy and generosity and humor. May your Advent be filled with all these things.
And may your Christmas be one of peace.
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UPCOMING EVENTS:
Please plan on attending our Community Movie this Sunday evening at 6:00PM! Invite your family and friends! This is a wonderful and entertaining movie about the birth of Christ – a perfect way to begin the season. We will be showing the movie in the Sanctuary on a large screen and sound system.
The Carroll County Community Chorus will be presenting Christmas in Carrollton, on December 13 & 14. Performances are at 7:30 on Dec. 13 with additional shows at 2:00 and 7:30 on Dec. 14. As most of you know, two of our own, Bev Bynum and Judie Boyer are members of this wonderful group. Hope you will go and share in the joy. Call the Cultural Arts Center (770-838-1083) or go online for tickets.
Can’t wait to see you all tomorrow! The scripture is Luke 3:1-6. Contained in this reading are wonderful words from Isaiah:
“Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him. Every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation!”
You don’t want to miss this!!!!
Love you all! And stay calm. All is well.
Rev. Martha