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Pastor's Page

Posted on December 21, 2007 ...

By the time you read this most of the special holiday events for this year already have occurred. Of course, the BIG celebrations of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are still before us. But most of the Christmas concerts, banquets, programs, parades, and parties for this year are done. Frankly, I like this season that quietly lies between the whirlwind of holiday activities and the festivities around Christmas Day itself. It is a bit quieter, more reflective, and less hurried. It is somewhat opposite to the quick pace of trying to get in every event on our schedule.

      Have you ever wondered why God chose to come to the world in the form of a baby? Maybe it is because babies move at their own schedule. No matter how much we long for the baby to come, it still takes nine months for a healthy baby to be born. And after the birth, patience is needed to help the baby eat, talk, and walk. In fact, a baby's survival is dependent on our patience with its gradual development of life skills. Some things just cannot occur quickly.
      Our society resists patience as we yearn for instant gratification. We want instant oatmeal, fast food, and instant messaging. Yet there is merit to learning the art of waiting. People will wait when they hold onto a hope that something better awaits them. Remember, Jesus' birth ended centuries of patient waiting on the part of God's people.
      Patience may run thin during December and as we count down the days until Christmas. But remember that patience is one of the indications that God's Spirit is working in our life: The fruit of the Spirit is...patience.... (Galatians 5:22) I hope that you can experience a quiet, unhurried, waiting moment to slowly ponder the wonder of God coming to earth in the form of a baby. I hope that you will consider and embrace whatever gradual work God wants to do in your life.
      Thank you for every expression of Christmas kindness you have shown to my family and me. You are among God's richest blessings to my life. Jay

Pastor's P.S. Photos from our Sanctuary Choir and Drama Team's Christmas Musical Be Not Afraid and photos of our Royal Ambassadors Racing for Lottie event can be seen online and downloaded from this website:
www.picasaweb.google.com/ncbctn