Christmas 2017

Dear Neighbor,

You are warmly invited to a Nativity play on Sunday, December 17, at 4:30 and 6:00 P.M. The script, read by a narrator, will be the Christmas stories from the Gospels. They will be reverently presented by costumed actors, suitable for children as well as adults.

One of the wonderful Christmas stories tells how the angel Gabriel was sent by God to Mary. In the Gospel she is called “a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph.” The angel greeted her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women!” He told her that she would conceive and bring forth a Son, and call His name Jesus. Jesus would be king over the house of Jacob forever.

Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I do not know a man?” The angel told her that the Holy Spirit would come upon her, and the power of the Highest would overshadow her. “Therefore, that Holy One who is to be born of you will be called the Son of God.”

Then Mary said, “Behold, the maidservant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to your word.” (See Luke 1:26-38 for this story.)

The Lord sends His angels to each of us, with a special job for each of us to do. Mary had a most special job, but in the Lord’s eyes, every one of us is highly favored; He has important work for all. It might be taking care of children or aging parents. It might be caring for animals, farm fields and equipment. No matter what trades, occupations, and other uses we may take up, all are potential blessings to us and others, if we perform our work justly and faithfully. Then we are acting from Him as His servants.

How do we respond to the Lord’s leading? We can follow Mary’s wonderful example and say, “Let me be Your servant, in whatever work You need me to do. Let it be to me according to Your Word.”

Happy Christmas!

Rev. Lawson Smith