Christmas 2011

Dear Church Family and Friends,

Music is an important part of Christmas celebration for many of us.  We may have noticed holiday tunes being played in stores and on some radio stations for several weeks, or heard the jingle of a bell calling our attention to a red kettle for donations, or perhaps we've caught ourselves singing along with the Sanctuary choir during a worship service or at the Carol Festival. Going Christmas caroling has been a favorite activity for me since childhood...

In my home church an eclectic group of older children, teens and adults would travel to various members' homes and serenade them with songs of the season. Sometimes we were invited in, other times, neighbors would open their doors or even stand on their porches and listen to the harmonious telling of the babe born in Bethlehem.  As I recall, our pitch was not perfect, nor was our diction, but that didn't seem to matter.  Both the singers and listeners enjoyed the sharing of the special tunes and words of the season:

"Christ the Savior is born!"
"Christ was born to save!"
"Joy to the world! The Savior reigns!"

We never tire of hearing the story of Christ's birth... with the mysterious and majestic angels, awe-inspired shepherds and contemplative parents.  The shepherds who received the angelic message and hurried to visit the manger on that first Christmas were filled with joy as they made known the saying which had been told them concerning this child, and they returned to the fields glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.

We realize, like those shepherds, that the birth of our Savior is news too good to keep for ourselves. We must share it with others - both those who have heard the message before and those who have never heard the Good News of Christmas.  An ancient carol has been adapted to proclaim these words:
 

Good Christian friends, rejoice with heart and soul and voice,
Now we need not fear the grave; Jesus Christ was born to save!

May we share this good news with others this Advent and Christmas season.

We will have opportunities to glorify and praise God, and celebrate the news of Christ's birth, through worship on Christmas Eve - Saturday, December 24 @ 7:00 p.m. and Christmas Day - Sunday, December 25 @ 11:00 a.m.  We will join in singing carols, hearing the message of Christmas, and celebrating the coming of our Savior into the world. Please plan to join us!  Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

Rev. Martha A. Dominy