Sardis Staff The Rev. Dr. J. Thomas Kort, Pastor

The Rev. Catherine E. Craley, Associate Pastor

The Rev. Dr. Jane B. Fobel, Associate Pastor

The Rev. Alice A. Johnson, Associate Pastor

Jason S. Robbins, Director of Youth & Family Ministry

Renda R. Brinson, Director of Christian Education Ministry

Heather T. Eddy, Assistant Director of Christian Education Ministry

Cynthia C. McLeod, Parish Aide

Kenneth A. DeBoer, Director of Music Ministry

Sharon J. DeBoer, Organist and Music Associate

Richard A. Ramsey, Director of Contemporary Music

Louise Lippi, Director of Sardis Weekday School

Gathering in Bethlehem Advent 2011

This Advent, our Sardis church family will be journeying, together, to Bethlehem. This year that journey will be guided by devotions written by Sardis church school teachers and staff, along with a sprinkling of poems and carols, all on the theme “Gathering in Bethlehem.” Our writers were asked to prepare devotionals based on the variety of people, beings, animals, and “objects” that were present in Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth. Each devotional is prepared from the perspective of one of those people or objects. As you read the reflections from your fellow members and the church staff, you are invited to a time of reflection for yourself. When you read Jan Rosser’s reflections on Mary, ask, “What inspires me about Mary, or, what does Mary teach me?” Or, when you read John Schneider’s reflection on being a fellow traveler, ask, “What kind of fellow traveler would I have been; what kind of fellow traveler am I now?” In these devotions, there are scattered the poems of Presbyterian poet Ann Weems. In one, she invites us with these words, “This Advent let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the Lord has made known to us.” Indeed, this Advent take time each day to reflect on what it would have been like to have been part of that gathering in Bethlehem. As in the words of the carol, in that little town of Bethlehem, “the hopes and fears of all the years, are met in thee this night,” ponder this Advent what fears may be before you. Then claim the great hope of Christ, that through the birth, life, death and resurrection of the one born in Bethlehem, we are assured that in Christ is one whose love and light is greater than any fear. Rejoice in this great joy that has been made known to us! May this season of Advent be a time of blessing and growth.

Blessings,

Associate Pastor for Adult Education 

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ent Gathering in Bethlehem – Searching Spirits

During this Advent journey we will read devotionals from fellow embers and church staff about lessons learned from the different people, animals, and even objects that were present in Bethlehem on the night of Christ’s birth. On this first day of our journey, I am drawn to reflect on something that likely was present in all of Bethlehem. It is something that is still present in us all today: a searching spirit - a yearning deep in our souls for the assurance that God’s promises are true and that those promises are not just for others but that they are also “for me.” In this season lots of attention falls on Christmas “wish lists,” but beyond all the new possessions wrapped in pretty paper, our deepest yearnings are for the assurance that we are loved, that we are accepted, that we can, without any doubt, live our lives without fear and anxiety. “Fear not” was the assurance given to Mary, to Joseph, to the shep-herds gathered in the open field. “Fear not” is also the message given to each one of us. It is given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ, who is Emmanuel - “God with Us.” Because God is with us, that makes all the difference! We are assured we are loved, accepted and can live without fear, for God has given his only Son for us. In becoming fully human, Christ is able to sympathize with our every weakness; by his sinless life, and his death and resurrection Christ has opened the future to eternal life and has opened the way – in the present – to the very throne of God, that we might approach God with boldness, “receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:14-16). In this Advent season we are a community of faith; a community of searching spirits. May we move through this season with expectation and with attention. Embrace the expectation that our God is, indeed, “with us”; give attention to all the ways our God-with-Us is present to reassure us and to invite us into ministry. For what does your spirit most yearn this season? Pray…listen, for God’s answer which will surely come. Jane Brawley Fobel

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Mary of Nazareth

I am looking at the calendar for the next couple of weeks. There’s the office party, the cookie exchange, singing at the retirement home, the school holiday party…and this doesn’t include buying the Christmas cards, putting up the tree, wrapping the gifts, writing the Christmas letter, and setting up the outdoor manger scene. I am already exhausted just thinking about Christmas. And the journey begins as we prepare for the birth of Jesus. An angel told Mary…you will have a child and His name will be Jesus. Mary, a simple woman living in a nondescript town of Nazareth, who was engaged to a common man named Joseph. Your child will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The angel, the trip to Bethlehem, the innkeeper, the stable, the virgin birth, the shepherds…cradling God’s Son …and Mary pondered all these things in her heart. What are you pondering in your heart this Advent season?

Steve Carpenter

First Sunday of Advent November 27

Holy Communion 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.

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If I Had Only Known

We had been on the road all day, and we were so tired. We finally found a room in an Inn for the night. Bethlehem was crowded with people who had come to register and to be taxed. It seemed everyone was out of sorts having to make the trip, but we had no choice. I was not sleeping well. Even the cattle in the stable were restless and making sounds in the night. At one point I was sure I heard a baby cry in the direction of the stable, but I dismissed the thought and tried to get back to sleep. The next morning there was a small crowd of people around the stable who said that the Savior had been born and was lying in the manger in the stable. Well, I don't know about a Savior, but if I had only known, I would not have let that young girl give birth in the stable, I would have at least let her have our room. Could what the shepherd's said at the stable be true? If the Savior was born what does that mean to me? The question is still the same in the 21st century. What does the Savior mean to me? Do I accept the grace and love of Christ too casually? Does this Christmas Season renew my spirit of new beginnings in my Christian faith, or is it just another holiday? Pray for renewal in your belief and be thankful for the love and grace that only comes from the Son born in a manger.

John Schneider

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In Search of Our Kneeling Places by Ann Weems

In each heart lies a Bethlehem, an inn where we must

ultimately answer whether there is room or not.

When we are Bethlehem-bound we experience our own

advent in his.

When we are Bethlehem-bound we can no longer look the

other way conveniently not seeing stars, not hearing

angel voices.

We can no longer excuse ourselves by busily tending our

sheep or our kingdoms.

This Advent let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that the

Lord has made known to us.

In the midst of shopping sprees let's ponder in our hearts the

Gift of Gifts.

Through the tinsel let's look for the gold of the Christmas

Star.

In the excitement and confusion, in the merry chaos let's

listen for the brush of angels' wings.

This Advent, let's go to Bethlehem and find our kneeling

places.

From Kneeling in Bethlehem. © 1993 Ann Barr Weems. Used by permission of Westminster John Knox Press. www.wjkbooks.com This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.

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The Bethlehem Night

Our first child, Andrew was born three weeks before the tragic events of 9-11. The joy of our newly born son was overshadowed by the horror of the day as the “Congratulations, It’s a Boy” flag came down and the American Flag went up at our front door. I remember asking myself; “What has become of our world and what will it mean to our new son?”

As with a new baby, and more importantly two new parents, Jill and I at times had to figure out how to get our child to go to sleep on “our time” and not “his time.” After quickly realizing that my song selection was greatly lacking, I sang hymns from our hymnal to Andrew. At a Christ-mas concert, Jill and I heard a song about Bethlehem which quickly became a popular song with Andrew, and later with our daughter Sa-rah, at bedtime. In fact this Christmas song is sung year round at our house.

In 2002, the news reported of the possible cancelation of Christmas Eve services in Bethlehem at the Church of the Nativity. Tanks and soldiers were surrounding the Church as armed Palestinians hid in the church from Israeli forces for weeks. The story of Bethlehem was just as real in Christ’s time as it is today.

The Bethlehem of old is the Bethlehem of today. We still live in a “torn and tired land.” We still look to Christ to “teach us love and bring us hope.” And most importantly, we are eternally thankful for Christ, the baby who grew to a man and who “through him all were saved.” Aric Beals

A Quiet Night In Bethlehem

(Barbara Bailey Hutchison) © 1993 Christara Publishing (BMI) CCLI License No. 1970054

A quiet night in Bethlehem many years ago In a torn and tired land a baby king was born

The little babe in swaddling clothes who in a manger lay Would teach us love and bring us hope born on Christmas Day

A quiet night in Bethlehem the little babe asleep Angels hovered o'er his head while shepherds watch did keep

Oh Holy Night, oh wondrous star shining overhead As he sleeps so peacefully in his manger bed

A quiet night in Bethlehem the story lives today How this babe grew to a man and through him all were saved

Celebrate, oh celebrate, His love we hold within The son of God the infant king born in Bethlehem

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The Innkeeper

She gave birth to her first child, a son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them. (Luke 2: 6-7)

“I’m sorry, you can’t stay here. There are no rooms available in my Inn.” If the Innkeeper knew then what we know now, do you think his answer would have been different? Would he have given up his own room to host Mary and Joseph, the parents of the King of Kings - the Messiah?

Maybe the Innkeeper did know who they were and this was all he could do. The Bible doesn’t give us any more details to this part of the Christmas story than to say Jesus was born in a manger. We fill in the rest of the details with our own interpretation and from songs we sing during the season.

What are some examples when you have told someone no, only to have regrets later? When have you passed judgment without knowing all the facts and details? Let us all be mindful of how many times this happens in our everyday lives. We need to practice being open-minded, give the “innkeeper” some forgiveness. Look for opportunities to open your heart and mind to those in need, whether it is a place to stay, a chance to talk or as simple as making a donation of time and money.

Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of your Son. May we all give grace and share our simple gifts. Amen

Rhonda York

Magic of Christmas Thursday, December 1 7:30 p.m. ~ Belk Theatre

www.Sardis.org

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O Little Town of Bethlehem

O little town of Bethlehem How still we see thee lie

Above thy deep and dreamless sleep The silent stars go by

Yet in thy dark streets shineth The everlasting Light

The hopes and fears of all the years Are met in thee tonight

For Christ is born of Mary And gathered all above

While mortals sleep, the angels keep Their watch of wondering love

O morning stars together Proclaim the holy birth

And praises sing to God the King And Peace to men on earth

How silently, how silently The wondrous gift is given!

So God imparts to human hearts The blessings of His heaven. No ear may hear His coming,

But in this world of sin, Where meek souls will receive him still,

The dear Christ enters in.

Breakfast with Mary & Joseph Saturday, December 3

10:00 a.m. ~ Fellowship Hall $10/per family

Reserve by December 1

1867 w. Phillips Brooks, 1868 m. Lewis H. Redner

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I used to live in Dallas and for many tourists the “X” on the road in Dealy Plaza holds morbid fascination, marking the “exact” spot of that fateful gunshot in November, 1963. Unless there is an “X”, we never think that something special might have happened on a particular spot, or someone significant may have trod on the sand, grass or gravel under our feet. What if the sand, the grass, or the gravel could speak to us? What if they could tell us what it would be like to be trod upon?

Likely, the sand-covered ground was more burden for Mary and Jo-seph as they dealt with not only a hovel of a birthing place, but also the blowing tiny grains that probably found their way into everything that night. However, I wonder if the ground would have considered itself important… the surface upon which a King was born, however unsanitary its conditions. Holy ground.

I could go to Bethlehem and say, “I was here. I walked on the very ground where Jesus was born.” I’d be in awe, though I wasn’t there when it happened. My experience would be fleeting. Today in the town there is no longer a manger, no inn, no stable - just a church where tradition tells us ‘Jesus was born here’… And those exact grains that covered the town’s floor… that were the dirt under Mary and Joseph’s feet, have been buried under asphalt or blown away over time… ephemeral like my encounter would be. But the ground that was the rather inconsequential covering of Bethlehem is still there even if it appears different and has been scuffed by millions of shoes. Ignored and abused, it is the marking of a momentous event… the “X” itself of Jesus’ birthplace. Heather Eddy

Chapel Communion: a gently-paced service

Sunday, December 4 3:00 a.m. ~ Chapel

www.Sardis.org

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The Donkey

Hello, my name is Lebo and I’m a young donkey. My family is owned by a kind man named Joseph. One day I overheard him tell his young wife, Mary, that they had to make a three-day trip from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Mary looked very unhappy and reminded Joseph that her baby would be born very soon!

Mary chose to ride on me because she said I looked so much softer than the other donkeys and I tried my best not to stumble on any rocks so she’d be more comfortable. Well, Mary was right, her baby boy was born as soon as we got to Bethlehem and when I peeked into the manger, I thought he was the cutest baby I’d ever seen!

But, once we got back home to Nazareth, Joseph sold me to another family so I never saw the baby – they called Jesus – again.

The years passed quickly and then one day some men came to my master’s home to tell him that their friend, Jesus, needed a colt to ride on from Bethany into Jerusalem. The people went wild when they saw Him – they kept shouting – “Hosanna to our King!”

But I saw when Jesus looked over the city, He cried and seemed sad. Later I heard He had died on a cross, but then I heard Jesus came out of His tomb and went back home to heaven! I guess God must have missed Him a lot too!

Cynthia Harrison

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Angels

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors! - Luke 2: 8-14 Our lives are touched by those who, like ourselves, seek a fuller more meaningful relationship with God. We might ask them questions like; ‘what do you do that brings you closer to God?’, ‘what spiritual disciplines strengthen your faith?’, ‘how do you find God, not only in the good times but the bad?’. On the day of our Lord’s birth the angels give us a glimpse of what strengthens their relationship with God. They are first filled with praise with overwhelming thanksgiving for the very Being of God. So, is our relationship with God – our time with God – also filled with praise, wonder and awe that God - that Love - is always with us? Do we pause and reflect on the overflowing Grace and self-gifting of God to each and every one of us? And secondly they “shared” the gift of that praise in the words; “and on earth peace…” Praise of God draws us closer to God and that closeness brings a peace, a calm in the storm, a quiet in the heart that no other relationship can offer and which enables us to also share the self-gifting of God with those around us. Alice Johnson

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Mary, Nazareth Girl by Ann Weems

Mary, Nazareth girl:

What did you know of ethereal beings

With messages from God?

What did you know of men

When you found yourself with child?

What did you know of babies,

You, barely out of childhood yourself?

God-chosen girl:

What did you know of God

That brought you to this stable

Blessed among women?

Could it be that you had been ready

Waiting

Listening

For the footsteps

Of an angel?

Could it be there are messages for us

If we have the faith to listen?

From Kneeling in Bethlehem. © 1993 Ann Barr Weems. Used by permission of Westminster John Knox Press. www.wjkbooks.com This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.

Hallelujah! A Festival of Lights & Sound ANNUAL CHRISTMAS DINNER

Wednesday, December 7 6:00 p.m. ~ Fellowship Hall

Reservations deadline: December 2 www.Sardis.org

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The Manger

Ever since I was built, I believed I was just a wooden box constructed to spend my life in a stable. Day after day I was filled with straw or even scraps of food. Day after day the animals would approach me for their sustenance. This was my duty. This was the reason I was created. I am a feeding trough - a manger. It is a simple creation, and I truly believed I would spend my life with one task - feed the animals.

One evening changed my preconceived destiny. I recall the animals scurrying to make room for the couple that entered the stable. I heard the gentle voice of the man called Joseph trying to comfort the girl named Mary. She seemed exhausted and lay down on the straw to rest from her weariness.

Time passed with a great deal of chaos taking place in what was normally a very peaceful stable.

Then I heard it. The cry of a newborn baby. I had heard the cry of a lamb and even a calf, but this was so different. It was so peaceful. And as if the beautiful cry was not enough, I was introduced to a warmth I cannot describe. Scraps of cloth began to line my wooden sides, and I began to feel a weight unlike any piece of straw or any scrap of food. I was no longer a wooden structure that held food for animals. I had become the crib of a Prince. I held a life that would change the world.

Eventually our guests would go on their way, but I would be changed forever. I will never forget the days when this baby Jesus would fall asleep with my wooden arms around him. I will always remember that my existence was forever changed by that child. I was created to feed the animals with the food that was placed inside of me. But this child would feed the world in a different way. This baby Jesus that rest within me for just a short time would become the bread and wine that sustains the spirits of men and women. For a little while I held a feast that not only sustains life, but provides life everlasting.

Jason Robbins

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Fellow Travelers “Lois, wake up! Did you hear that? Someone is knocking on the inn door. Who could it be at this hour? I am going to peek out the window. Wow, it is the couple we saw on our way to Bethlehem. Remember how young they looked? And she was definitely with child. I enjoyed talking to them, but they were going so slow. I hated to leave them behind, but I wanted to be sure we secured a room for the evening. The Innkeeper is talking to them. I can’t make out what he is saying. Oh no, he is not letting them in! They are walking away. Wait! They are heading toward the stable!”

During the Advent season, we make the journey toward the birth of Jesus. As we travel together, let’s remember it’s a journey and not a race. Enjoy each “rest area” throughout the season. Stop to breathe in the smells of Christmas, relax and enjoy the Christmas pageants and pause to listen to the words of the carols.

This is God’s gift…the birth of Jesus. Relish the anticipation!

Steve Carpenter

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Mary Did You Know? Mary did you know That your baby boy will one day walk on water? Mary did you know That your baby boy will save our sons and daughters? Did you know That your baby boy has come to make you new? This child that you've delivered, Will soon deliver you. Mary did you know That your baby boy will give sight to a blind man? Mary did you know That your baby boy will calm a storm with his hand? Did you know That your baby boy has walked where angels trod? And when you kiss your little baby, You have kissed the face of God. The blind will see, The deaf will hear The dead will live again. The lame will leap, The dumb will speak, The praises of the lamb. Mary did you know That your baby boy is Lord of all creation? Mary did you know That your baby boy will one day rule the nations? Did you know That your baby boy Is heaven's perfect Lamb? This sleeping child you're holding Is the great I Am. Copyright: © 1991, 1993 Word Music, LLC (a div. of Word Music Group, LLC) and Rufus Music (admin. by Gaither Copyright Management) CCLI License No. 1970054

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t The Star The Christmas Star is the symbol of guidance, of the hope and joy of Christmas and of marking the house where the Magi would find the Christ Child. And so it is a perfect symbol for the season of Advent, as it symbolizes our annual Advent journey.

The Christmas star on our family tree will be 61 years old this year. It was given to my parents for their first Christmas. When my parents decided to move to a smaller artificial tree and pass on some of the traditional family ornaments, my brothers quickly decided that I was to have the treetop star, a symbol of Christmas that I loved.

Why a star? Of course, tradition tells us that the Wise Men followed a star to the house where Jesus was, and this is the celebration of Epiphany. And so today it is still a symbol of guidance from the heavens.

The wonderful news is that we can follow the Christ’s star every day. There are really four ways to follow Christ’s STAR:

S – Say prayers of praise and thanksgiving for all of God’s gifts.

T – Tell others of Jesus’ love and gift of salvation.

A – Allow Jesus to guide us as we live for him.

R – Rely on Jesus for help, hope and peace.

Throughout the season of Advent, talk with members of your family about how best you can all follow the star, not only through Advent, but the entire year.

Let the star of Christmas guide you each and every day in the coming year as you follow Christ in your home.

Renda Brinson

Music Sunday Sunday, December 11

9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. Sanctuary

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The Road I was important to the story of the birth of the Savior although I’m never mentioned in any of the fancy tellings of the story. But, without me, what happened in Bethlehem may not have happened in Bethlehem.

You see, I’m the road that led to Bethlehem. There were a few ways to get there but Mary and Joseph chose ME.

OK, the truth may be that Mary and Joseph took the road that they were told would get them to Bethlehem. I don’t know if they consulted other people or followed a map. I have heard that some people followed a star even. But I am what they traveled on. I got Mary and Joseph and many others to Bethlehem. I got them to where they were meant to be.

A road is what gets you to where you are meant to be. And I’m not really talking about places on a map anymore but rather places in your life. The many roads of life help us come to marvelous places of peace and understanding. Some roads have been chosen, some given. Some roads have been considered then determined to lead to nowhere.

At my end, there was a city called Bethlehem where one was born to walk the very same roads you do now. In this Advent season, consider what kind of road your life is. Where is your road leading? Are you a pathway that leads others to Christ? Whatever road you are, or whatever road you are now on, know that Jesus offers you a hand to hold onto. Jesus is our great traveling companion on all the roads of life.

Richard Ramsey

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The Lamb He tends his flock like a shepherd: he gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young. - Isaiah 40:11

You know something big is up if your shepherd picks you up in the middle of the night and trots at top speed over the hills. Usually the best shepherds--and I include mine--work their hardest to get us settled and quiet for the night, ready for all the next day's sheeply activities.

While the flock sleeps my shepherd scans the horizon for unpleasant animals, or unpleasant sheep rustlers, or unpleasant weather. For we sheep are very nervous nellies, afraid of the dark and most everything else.

The shepherd literally guards us with his life, so that when he has to rest a bit he lies down across the opening which is the gate of the stone-made sheepfolds scattered in the countryside for us. He trusts us with no one else and never leaves us unprotected; as you might have heard, we are not the brightest bulbs in the animal kingdom's chandelier. So imagine our fear when we had just bleated and snorted and snuffled our way to sleep, and the sky became bright as day!

We looked up as someone way shinier and fancier than our shepherd spoke. Then there was the most amazing sound, the one they might call "music". And bingo, the shepherd couldn't lose a minute hurrying off.

So it was that we smallest lambs were grabbed up and carried here to Bethlehem, while a few adult sheep trotted along behind. When we reached a place for donkeys, oxen and such, all the animals and other visitors were gathered round a wee creature smaller than we are! The funny thing is, He appeared as helpless and sleepy as we, yet those around Him - a mother and father, an innkeeper's wife and a curious servant girl, I think- looked like all their cares from the past and worries about the future had melted away. Why, they looked like a shepherd as wonderful as ours had settled them where they needed to be. Jane Gilbert

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Getting to the Front of the Stable by Ann Weems Who put Joseph in the back of the stable? Who dressed him in brown, put a staff in his hand, and told him to stand in the back of the creche, background for the magnificent light of the Madonna?

God-chosen, this man Joseph was faithful in spite of the gossip in Nazareth, in spite of the danger from Herod. This man, Jo-seph, listened to angels and it was he who named the Child Emman-uel. Is this a man to be stuck for centuries in the back of the stable?

Actually, Joseph probably stood in the doorway guarding the mother and child or greeting shepherds and kings. When he wasn't in the doorway, he was probably urging Mary to get some rest, gently cov-ering her with his cloak, assuring her that he would watch the Child. Actually, he probably picked the Child up in his arms and walked him in the night, patting him lovingly until he closed his eyes.

This Christmas, let us give thanks to God for this man of incredible faith into whose care God placed the Christ Child. As a gesture of gratitude, let's put Joseph in the front of the stable where he can guard and greet and cast an occasional glance at this Child who brought us life.

From Kneeling in Bethlehem. © 1993 Ann Barr Weems. Used by permission of Westminster John Knox Press. www.wjkbooks.com This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.

A Service of Hope and Remembrance

Wednesday, December 14 7:00 p.m. ~ Sanctuary

www.Sardis.org

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Joseph Joseph was a carpenter when he fell in love with Mary. He was filled with doubt when she told him that an angel had spoken to her and announced that she was pregnant by the Holy Spirit! In their day, young women were ostracized by their communities if they became pregnant before marriage!

Joseph knew they had not “been together” and as a righteous man, he did not want to expose her to public shame and decided to divorce her quietly! Before this happened, God sent an angel who appeared in a dream and said: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what she has conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit!” Joseph obeyed and our savior was born on Christmas eve as promised by the prophets!

It is sad for me to see the current trend of young people living together before marriage and freely announcing that “they have been together since…..! “ Those that live together before marriage will never experience the eternal joy of knowing that the first time they came together was after their marriage vows and they have lived their lives by the seventh commandment ever since!

Glen Pehl

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Mary If there is any hotly contested role in every church’s children’s Christ-mas Pageant, it’s Mary. The angels get to wear the wings and sparking tinsel halo, but it’s Mary who steals the show with her blue outfit and fake baby bump. The artists of history also seem to be understandably enamored with Mary’s role in the birth narrative. Artistic illustrations of the annunciation are a favorite subject of artists from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. In them, Mary glows in a halo of holiness, often looking demure and beautiful, and on occasion, she is slightly surprised by her heavenly visitor. I would not have made a good Mary. Nobody wants to paint a fresco of a woman disheveled and racing to the grocery store to buy the milk she forgot, when she was suddenly interrupted by an angel. Ever notice that Mary was not on an elliptical machine, doing laundry or taking a phone call at work when the heavenly visitor arrives? She always appears to just be waiting….by windows, in chairs, in the bright sunlight. In Psalm 37:7 we are told to “be still before the Lord and wait p atiently for him.” Centuries of Christians, whether they are monks and nuns, or neighbors and friends, have urged us to find quiet places and quiet times to connect with the still small voice that created eternity. While I do believe God speaks into the chaos of our days, the Christian Tradition has always supported the notion that we must also wait patiently on the Lord, and that requires stillness and silenced cell phones. So in this Advent season, may the Angel of the Lord find you in the carpool line and the commuter traffic, but also as you wait quietly upon the Lord in stolen moments of solitude during your busy days. Perhaps you too will receive “Good news of great joy!”

Catherine Craley

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Once In Royal David’s City Once in royal David's city, Stood a lowly cattle shed, Where a mother laid her baby In a manger for His bed: Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child. He came down to earth from heaven, Who is God and Lord of all, And His shelter was a stable, And His cradle was a stall; With the poor and meek and lowly, Lived on earth our Savior holy. For He is our child-hood's pattern, Day by day like us He grew, He was little, weak, and helpless, Tears and smiles like us He knew, And He feeleth for our sadness, And He shareth in our gladness. And our eyes at last shall see Him, Through His own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle, Is our Lord in heaven above, And He leads His children on, To the place where He is gone.

Lyrics by Cecil Frances Alexander

A Christmas Celebration with Our Children

Sunday, December 18 10:00 a.m. ~ Fellowship Hall

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t The Stable I am not the most attractive, and I understand that through the ages there has not been agreement on exactly what I am. I’ve been described as a cave, or a basement, or a barn behind an inn. I guess the disagreement tells you that “I” am not that important, only my ”function” is what seems important – I am the place where animals spend the night! I used to wish I was more impressive, but not anymore. Something wonderful happened within me several years ago. It was late at night and most of the animals had settled down and there was the hum of snoring. Suddenly there was movement. The cows and the goats started waking and making noise as a donkey and a young couple edged their way in. I wasn’t so surprised by the donkey, but a young couple? The woman start moaning and reaching for her husband, I couldn’t believe it! She was starting to give birth, then, I really couldn’t believe it! Light started breaking out all around us, there was singing, and then I saw them – ANGELS – rejoicing over this baby, born in a barn! Never did I think anything so wonderful would happen within my frame! It took some time, but I learned over the years, as travelers passed in and out with their animals, that the baby had proven to be very special: a child who interpreted scripture like an adult, a man who taught with authority and performed miracles of healing. He was, in fact, the very Son of God who gave his life for the forgiveness of all the sins of humankind, was raised from the dead to open the way to eternal life, and now is in God’s kingdom and His Spirit is with us always! If the power of God can transform me into a place where Christ was born, God can transform anyone to be a sign of God’s love and presence in the world. What is God seeking to accomplish through you? Jane Brawley Fobel

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Mary Who is that lovely young girl dressed in blue kneeling next to a baby in a manger? You know the scene. You've seen it on the front of Christmas cards for years. That's Mary, daughter of Anna and Joachim and the mother of Jesus. Can you imagine being a young teenage girl and an angel of the Lord announcing to you that God has called you to give birth to the Messiah? What a shock!

Obviously, Mary loved the Lord very much and desired to do His will. She couldn't have possibly understood that she would conceive by the Holy Spirit. But she did believe that she was a handmaiden of the Lord and told the angel, "let it be." Three little words that changed her life and ours.

As Protestants, we have never given Mary much attention but she deserves to be honored and respected because God honored her in such a magnificent way. After all, she bridged the Old Testament and the New Testament with the birth of Jesus. She supported Jesus' earthly ministry and the birth of the early church. She was among the last to leave the foot of the cross and among the first in the upper room.

There was so much Mary didn't understand but she remained faithful and God rewarded her with the greatest gift anyone could ever receive - to be the mother of the one we call the Christ.

God chose an unknown to carry out His plan for salvation. God has a plan for each of us. Can we say "let it be?"

Jan Rosser

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Born Into a Roman World Now Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod. - (Matthew 2:1)

Pax Romana (roman peace) prevailed in the roman empire during most of the reign of King Herod. Rome was not at war but was an occupier. The local elites in Judea were totally dependent on Rome. However, this very dependence undermined their political legitimacy with the Jewish masses.

King Herod, who claimed to be a Jew, had been appointed by Mark Anthony and Octavius. This meant Herod along with his political appointees, who were granted lands as compensation, could rule Judea as long as they kept order and collected taxes. Taxes maintained the roman empire and were despised by the Jews. This resulted in constant turmoil with revolts in Judea and, particularly, in Galilee.

Overall, living under Roman rule had some advantages. Generally, the Romans allowed freedom of religion. The high priest was appointed by the Romans and served for life if he maintained control of the temple as did Annas, the initial Roman-appointed high priest and the father of Caiaphas.

Such was the political and socio-economic world into which Jesus Christ was born-- a world of an occupier and of turmoil.

Without question, this world shaped his ministry.

Norm Schul

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Had We Been There by Ann Weems

Into the stable they straggled, poor and dirty, hardly suitably dressed for polite society.

Had we been Joseph, we would have feared robbery.

Had we been Mary, we would have feared germs around our newborn.

Had we been God, these are not ones we would have chosen to first come and see the child.

After all, they showed a certain carelessness about the rules of the church.

And yet, God-chosen, they came to kneel and worship Him whom we would later call the Good Shepherd.

Perhaps we could brush up on our humbleness.

From Kneeling in Bethlehem. © 1993 Ann Barr Weems. Used by permission of Westminster John Knox Press. www.wjkbooks.com This material may not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Of Bethlehem and Patmos Bethlehem, and Patmos. Two very diverse places in the ancient world. A small, insignificant town, and a deserted island; and yet the work of redemption cannot be understood until we tread both locations.

Oh, Bethlehem we visit often! We are enamored by the cute little baby who lies contentedly in the clean, sweet smelling hay of our sanitized Christmas celebration.

How many of us have ever spent time on that rocky deserted island in the Aegean Sea where John saw to the very throne of Heaven?

This past summer my wife and I with a few others of our church members visited the Greek isles. While there we visited the isle of Delos, really only an arid rock pile in the Aegean Sea. An island not unlike the deserted Patmos of ancient days where the apostle John was exiled. It is from this isle that the apostle sees in clearer view through the eyes of the Holy Spirit the culmination of the redeeming work begun in that manger stall of Bethlehem.

Because of Bethlehem, because of this atoning work now complete, we are given a new suit, a new piece of jewelry, and a new name.

In the ancient world, in court proceedings when the absolution of the judge was handed down, the accused was given a white stone to signify absolution and conversely a black stone to signify guilt. Because of Christ, we are given a white stone. No longer are we the accused. But upon that stone is a new name. Because of the effects of adoption into the family of God, we are given the name of Christ’s sisters and brothers. We are taken into the household of God forever.

What a beautiful picture when we see from Bethlehem all the way to Patmos. Our salvation is secure. And our brother guarantees eternal life in God’s house. As we experience Christmas this year, be aware of your new suit, your new piece of jewelry, and your new name. All freely given to us by our brother!

Ken DeBoer

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The Friendly Beasts

With the urbanization of Mecklenburg County, we have grown accustomed to seeing wildlife adapting to city living. It has become quite common to spy deer snacking at our backyard birdfeeders. These “city deer” seem quite jaded by the bustle of our lives. Last week, my husband and I were driving through Anson County, NC enjoying the quiet and the pastoral views. We began to notice various types of livestock - cows, bulls, sheep, horses, even llamas - standing at attention along their roadside fences staring down the road in the direction we were travelling. We sat puzzled at what would cause them to all run to the fence and stare. When we topped the next hill, we saw what they saw: Dozens of brightly-colored, spandex-clad bicycle riders racing to the finish line of a charity race in Ansonville, NC. We began to laugh as we speculated about the conversations among the animals at the fences. They were seeing something BIG, something out of this world! I believe that’s how it was in the manger the night our Lord was born. I believe the animals rushed to the manger and stood mesmerized by what they saw. Something BIG, something out of this world! As we race for the commercial “finish line” that we allow to be imposed on this holy season, I pray that we all take time for quiet moments to be still enough to see something BIG, something out of this world!

Donna Rogers

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ve Born in the Night, Mary’s Child

Born in the night, Mary's child, a long way from your home: coming in need, Mary's child, in a borrowed room. Clear shining light, Mary's child, your face lights up our way: light of the world, Mary's child, dawn on our darkened day. Truth of our life, Mary's child, you tell us God is good: prove it is true, Mary's child. Go to your cross of wood. Hope of the world, Mary's child, you're coming soon to reign: king of the earth, Mary's child, walk in our streets again.

Text and Music: © copyright 1964 by Geoffrey Ainger; assigned to Galliard, Ltd. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission of Galaxy Music Corp., Boston, sole U.S. agent. CCLI License No. 1970054

Christmas Eve Services 4:00 p.m.

Family Worship Fellowship Hall

7:30 p.m. Candlelight Worship Service

& Holy Communion

Sanctuary Childcare is available at 4:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

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ay Before You Know It, It’s Over - Or is it?

Luke tells us that the Shepherds “went with haste” to find the baby Jesus. They were in a rush, just like most of us have been for the last four weeks.

We’ve planned and waited, rushed and anticipated, for this one day, Christmas morning. And before you know it, it’s over. Another Christmas has come and gone. Interestingly, after their encounter with the singing angels and finding Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, you might have thought the Shepherds would have stuck around for a while. But they went immediately on their way, but forever changed, “glorifying and praising God for all they had seen.” They carried Christmas with them, not just for one day but for every day. They were able to keep Christmas. I hope will you savor this day and its moments with your loved ones as you create a stocking full of Christmas memories for years to come. I hope you will take a moment and say a little prayer, something so simple as, “Thank you, Lord Jesus. Thank you.” I hope you will glorify and praise God in your own special way and keep Christmas like the shepherds.

Christmas Day Worship Service

Sunday, December 25 10:00 a.m. ~ Sanctuary

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ay Henry Van Dyke offers some thoughts on “Keeping Christmas:”

There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas Day, and that is keeping Christmas.

Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people and to remember what other people have done for you?

To ignore what the world owes you and to think what you owe the world?

To see that men and women are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy?

To close your book of complaints against the management of the universe, and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness?

Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children?

To remember the weakness and loneliness of people growing old?

To stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself whether you love them enough?

To bear in mind the things that other people have to bear in their hearts?

Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world – stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death – and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love?

Then you can keep Christmas. And if you can keep it for a day, why not always?

“Keeping Christmas,” by Henry van Dyke (1852–1933).

Tom Kort