All I Want for Christmas

And the angel said to them, "Be not afraid; for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy which will come to all the people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord" Luke 2:10-11  

I have heard many times how overwhelming the advent and Christmas seasons are for pastors. I can imagine them saying they could not fit one more thing into their church and family responsibilities as December 25th nears. However, when my family traveled to Iowa to share Christmas with my grandson and his family, I was amazed to learn that his wife, a Methodist pastor, was celebrating Christ's birth on Christmas Eve at two churches, one of which was not of her denomination. With just a week to go before Christmas, she learned that a friend of hers, a Lutheran minister, had suffered a heart attack and could not preach for Christmas. There was no one available for their church so she volunteered to preach and lead communion on Christmas Eve. This service was lovely with carols, familiar scripture, the lighting of the advent wreath, and the hope to the world of a savior. The congregation joyfully shook her hands as they left the service, thankful that they could worship together.

As we headed on to the next service at her church (which started in an hour), I kept thinking about the gift of giving of yourself at Christmas. My grandson's wife truly did this. Her church also sang carols, read familiar scriptures, lit the advent wreath, took joy in hearing the children play tiny bells, and the choir singing beautiful music. It was a lovely service.

In the busy times around Christmas, please remember to thank our pastors for their service to our congregations. Just as the holidays can be overwhelming to us, it can be especially hard on them. Thank God for their service as well.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the blessing of your son to the world. Thank you for your servants in our church, especially our pastors. Help us remember all the joy of a savior born and Christmas and the hope that He brings to our world today. Amen

Nancy Hall