This will be my 62nd Christmas, but I confess, I don't really remember my first several!
This will be my 19th Christmas at Immanuel as their pastor.
Christmas, for pastors, or at least for me, is stressful. Even more so than it ever was as a dad.
Christmas sermons. Advent candles. Christmas Eve candlelight services. Christmas parties. Expectations. And that's just the pastor part.
Trying to keep my own focus on Jesus during Christmas is hard enough. But to try and help a congregation of people, no matter how large or small, to keep their eyes on Jesus, too, is a daunting task.
Factor in turmoil, financial difficulties, interpersonal conflict, and it becomes nearly impossible.
Oh! How I long for those first 8 or 9 Christmases!
My grandma's fudge. Aunt Imogene's Hello Dollies. Uncle Bill's silly excuses for being late.
Waiting for Santa. (Santa came to our house early on Christmas Eve. We were told we were his first stop!)
Now, I'm the grandpa. We still put out stockings for the whole family, as seen below:
Now I delight in watching my grandkids open their gifts. Now I look forward to the whole family gathered around the table for Christmas lunch. For the past several years, I have grilled steaks for our lunch. That is my personal gift to the family.
But, it is all about Jesus. Immanuel. God with us. And that is the point. God became a man and dwelt among men on earth. He lived a sinless life. He suffered and bled and died on a cross. He was buried in a borrowed tomb and rose again three days later. He ascended to Heaven and we wait, expectantly, for His return. Maranatha!
Put your faith in Jesus. Trust Him. I promise you'll be the best Christmas you've ever had!
