I love Christmas! I love everything about it. I love the sights, smells, sounds, tastes, the children’s Christmas movies, and the old classics (ok, maybe I do not love the Hallmark specials so much). I even feel like coffee and a quiet time beside my Christmas tree might be the closest I get to heaven, even if I might be slightly allergic. It is worth every headache. When I was a boy, I loved Christmas so much that I could not wait for its arrival. Of course, what I really loved was the presents. In fact, one year I wanted a drum set so badly that I searched the house to find out if I would receive this gift. I found it in the attic, played it with sheer joy while my parents were gone, then acted surprised when I saw it on Christmas day. Besides being a sneaky little devil, what this story teaches me is that I have a hard time waiting. Most of us do.   

This has been especially true in 2020. We cannot wait for 2021 to arrive. The term “Advent” means “coming” or “arrival.” Israel knew something about waiting for an arrival. They could have sung the great advent hymn, “O come, O come, Emmanuel. And ransom captive Israel. That mourns in lonely exile here. Until the Son of God appear.”  

Perhaps more than ever, we can relate to their hunger for the Lord to come to them in their sin, hurt, hardship, and pilgrim existence. The good news of Christmas is that Christ did come to ransom a captive people for himself. Even more, he is coming again, and we will see, as Sally Lloyd-Jones in the Jesus Storybook Bible describes, his “Never stopping, never giving up, always and forever love.” 

In this strange year, we celebrate Jesus’ coming and long for his second coming when all will be made right again. He says, “Surely I am coming soon.” And so, we pray with the Apostle John, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!” (Rev. 22:20).  

David Henderson

This year we will be holding five Christmas Candlelight Lessons and Carols Services, with two on December 23 at 4:00 and 6:00 p.m., and three on December 24 at 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00 p.m.  For more details, visit the website or app. Registration will be required for all services and will open on December 7.

All Encouragers are invited for door-to-door caroling at homes of members followed by supper, a Scripture lesson, and carol singing in Jackson Hall, on Saturday, December 12. Caroling will be from 3:00 - 4:30 p.m. in the Forest Acres neighborhood, and supper will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the church. Please register for either or both parts of the event on the church website or app. You can also register by calling (803) 799-9062, Ext. 455.

Friday, December 11, 12:00 p.m.

Online video concert of a cappella works by Hassler, Hillier, and Byrd.

Friday, December 18, 7:00 p.m.

Online video concert with the Chancel Choir, Junior Choir, Youth Chorus, and members of the Brass and String Ensembles.

Because so many blood drives have been cancelled due to COVID-19, we will be holding a special blood drive on Friday, December 11, from noon to 5:30 p.m. in The Bridge, Room 225. Please put this on your calendar, and make a reservation by going to their website, redcrossblood.org, and use the sponsor code: FirstPresColumbia. Donors will be registered to win one of several outdoor living items. Thank you!

Phil and Carol McDill on the celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.

Nancy and Tommy Mann on the death of her brother, Stephen Delphy, on November 21.

Items for Church Family?

Contact Lisa Eargle at leargle@firstprescolumbia.org.