On Sunday, December 3rd, after the service, families stuck around for our first Journey to Bethlehem; a Christmas experience withĀ lunch, fellowship, and plenty of glue and glitter!Ā Staff and leadersĀ organized nativity-related activities and crafts: Advent calendar paper chains, nativity sets made out of 2X4 blocks, and making the ornaments which now adorn the Chrismon tree in our sanctuary. It was a great way to easeĀ into the Christmas spirit, and best of all we didnāt have to stick around and try to clean up the aforementioned glitter!
I find it a challenge to bring Christ into Christmas in a real way – not just for my children, but for meĀ as well. Thereās little room for reflecting onĀ the reason for the seasonĀ with competition the likes of presents wrapped up under a tree, time off of school and work, family visits, parties, decorations, traditions, cookies, etc. With so much excitement, it would be unfair and unrealistic to expect our children to somehow focus on an event that happened 2,000 years ago. And, If Iām being honest, it seems unrealistic to expect that of myself. However, although itās a challenge, that does not mean God canāt use this holiday season to connect with our families and with us.
As a parent, Iām thankful for the little moments that open up to have a discussion andĀ plant a seed with my kids. They donāt happen all the time, and while they take effort to look for andĀ engage in, they canāt be too manufactured or contrived. SometimesĀ itās a one minute talk while putting crafts together atĀ church as we did during Journey to Bethlehem.
Similarly, as a child of God, Iām grateful for those times my Heavenly Father reminds me of His truth – throughĀ times of prayer, reading scripture, listening to a sermon, or singing a song.
God is the author of allĀ of these moments, and heĀ will continue to provide them in the midst of all the busyness and all of the excitement of Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
Nick Dahm