H onor
O utreach to the seeker
M inister to those in need
E quip the believer
December 23, 2009
There must be a better way to celebrate the season than the current treadmill of exhaustive, expensive gift giving, card sending, party going and stomach stuffing. (I get tired just writing about it and I only do the last two; Jan has to handle the first two!)
In their book Unplug the Christmas Machine, Jo Robinson and Jean Stacheli call attention to “The Christmas Pledge.” It offers a great alternative.
“Believing in the true spirit of Christmas, I commit myself to:
- remember those people who truly need my gifts;
- express my love in more direct ways than gifts;
- examine my holiday activities in the light of my deepest values;
- be a peacemaker within my circle of family and friends;
- rededicate myself to spiritual growth.
Uplink: Holy Spirit, birth in me a richer-deeper more meaningful journey to Christmas. May I give and love in ways more precious than the usual bow wrapped gifts. May my soul be sated instead of my stomach in this season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
P.S. People are very receptive to church invitations in this season. Tell your non attending friends about the Christmas Eve services (children 5:00 p.m., Candlelight Communion Service 7:30 p.m.) and also about the harpist carol medley in service on Sunday December 30 at 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.
