The Night Before Christmas

It was the night before Christmas,
and amidst the clutter and bustle,
no one stopped to think of the Child and Savior
caught up in all of the hustle.

The malls were are ready and put out their best,
getting and keeping our attention, above all the rest.
All the Churches were all adorned for their services with care
in the hopes that people in droves would soon be there.

Then, in our sanctuaries there arose such a clatter,
as people lifted their candles and sang about the matter.
They filed outside and left, filled with Christmas cheer,
to talk no more about Jesus--only about Santa and Reindeer.

Having done their duty, they can now focus on the jolly old elf.
Since they came to Church, Church can go back on the shelf.
For another year, except for maybe Easter or Mother's day,
or perhaps they will feel like going to Church one morning, who can say?

How did Christmas, Holy and with reverent focus,
become about stockings, winter, wrapping paper and a bonus?
We have taught our children to look down, underneath a tree,
instead of up where it points, God, hoping to see.

No wonder this world, with all the noise and clamor,
ignores the Church and chases fame and glamor.
Instead of our focus on big ribbons and a bow,
Parents and the Church need to stand tall and let the Light of the World glow.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, have a great night.

Life at the Beach

So, we live at the beach and today, its cold, well cool.

Our Senior Pastor is out of town tomorrow and Joe will be preaching.

Christmas is coming and Central Florida is feeling a bit cooler.
Change comes in the same cycles every year. Although it is not as pronounced here in Florida, there is still change. The grass is a bit more brown, the wind is cooler and not as humid.

We are getting ready to start some new groups at the Church. Relate groups are going to talk about the weekly sermon in homes each week. Most of our groups are filled or are filling up well. I hope that the people who take part will grow and understand more about how Christians should live and relate to one another.

Some people are resistant to change, that is to be expected. I know that some people feel that we don't need to change. We ought to just keep doing things the way that we have always done. Promote Sunday School, have big events to draw the public in. These were what built the church, and we should keep doing it.

Unfortunately, the world has changed. People used to respect the Chruch--now many people have contempt for the Church. Being a Christian used to be thought of as a positive--now Christians are seen as "pushy" and "uncaring." The Church used to be seen as a positive force in the community--now people wonder what good the Church does.

If we are going to have an impact on our community, we have to go out to where they are and do things that will build goodwill and give us the "respect" to share what it is that motivates us. We have to earn the right to share the gospel. May God help us earn that right as we serve in our community.

Wade Howell