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MESSAGE FROM JIMMY
“Making Room”
A new liturgical year begins this Sunday with Advent. Advent is a season that prepares us to celebrate the birth of our Savior and renews us in the wonder of Emmanuel – God with us. I can’t wait to see how the church looks for Christmas after the decorations are all put out this week.
What are you doing to prepare for Christmas this year? At the Criddle house, Christmas has arrived! Caroline has been listening to Christmas music for a month now. Debbie has most of the decorations out. The mantle is decked out. The hot chocolate station is prepped in the kitchen. I have already fired up the fireplace. Furthermore, our family visited our favorite tree farm over Thanksgiving weekend and picked out the “perfect” tree. I am sure it will get lights and decorations this week in between dinner and laundry. The only thing left for me to do is hang the lights on the house.
Another family tradition of ours is to light our Advent wreath and have family devotions “most” nights between this coming Sunday and December 25th. We are making room in our homes, our church, and our lives to share the love of Christmas.
During Advent, our messages will focus on several different characters from the birth narratives and how they made room in their hearts and homes for God and their neighbors. This season provides us with an opportunity to reclaim the Biblical gift of hospitality, to rekindle a welcoming spirit. This Advent I ask you to share the love of Christmas in one specific way. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you on your pew, to sing carols, and to connect with the presence of Christ - the true LOVE of Christmas.
I want to say a special "thank you" to those who share the love of Christ each month by serving a meal at the Billy Brumfield House. Sunday I mentioned one Sunday School class, the Beginnings Class, but there are actually two others, Rasberry and Seekers Classes, that serve as well. Thanks for serving every third Monday. By serving them, you are serving Him.
You will find in this edition of The Voice a calendar of events for the month of December. Circle December 17th and December 24th. Make plans to join us, and go ahead and think about who you will bring with you to the services on those dates. It really is the most wonderful time of the year! Happy Advent, y’all!
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