At a breakfast gathering for BIC (Brothers in Christ) on December 11th, I sat in a room with some 60 other guys and listened as each introduced himself with his name, family connections and favorite Christmas memory. It was a fascinating time of sharing.
As each one shared, his stories prompted my memories of my own.
The year when I snuck around seeking the secret hiding places of the gifts my mom had purchased and hidden. She walked in on me as I was digging into her and dad’s closet, behind shoes and dresses, discovering the longed-for game Mousetrap! She was not amused at my tactics, but she did let me play with it that day and throughout the days up until Christmas. Like most games of that ilk, it broke quickly!
The year Anna, age 2, danced and danced around the living room in awe of the tree’s beauty. The year we first celebrated Christmas with Perseverance Chapel and had a room filled with gifts from that excited congregation.
The year Karen and I walked, arm in arm, through a magical Kentucky, snow-laden village, her wrapped in our prized $3 wool, plaid coat from Goodwill. So many memories of laughter, of gifts, of those hopes and dreams sung of in the carols.
The first year here, experiencing Christmas with all the kids dressed as animals moo-ing, and baa-ing and bleat-ing around the sanctuary. You had to be there! Maybe you were.
That morning the stories ranged from the dad who set booby-traps to keep his kids from sneaking downstairs early -- these increased in severity as the kids aged, until as teens, they included broken glass in the carpet!?! Yikes. To the guy who remembered Christmas in London at Holy Trinity Brompton Church.
With all those memories, I know that Christmas is fraught with both good and hard times. Karen and I used to say “It hasn’t been Christmas until somebody cried!” Well, that may sound bleak, but for us it was a realism that the expectations of Christmas seemed to always lead to some level of disappointment.
But here’s the thing -- with all this, one of the best Christmas gifts in my life has been YOU. You have been and are the best congregation I have ever served. There has been more of me available to experience the blessing, for certain. And I am blessed and privileged to be among you. So, receive my thanks for being YOU. Thanks for bringing such magic to my life and my Christmases celebrated among you.
Also, I would love to say one thing to you today:
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I am praying for each of you to experience a rich and blessed experience with family and friends. Remember: You are loved. God has plans for you that are immense. Keep the faith. Keep walking in the fullness of life day by day.
“...for unto YOU is born this day in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ, the Lord.”
Blessings upon you this season!
Brian