Winds of The Season
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“Behold a virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel which means God with us.” Matthew 1:23
The wind was ferocious, blowing everything in its pathway including some light snow. The windchill made the temperature in the single digits. It’s Ohio and it is December. But why on the night when the Christmas Gathering was happening? It did not deter us from attending the Christmas Homecoming service at the church where I grew up. I was sad that the gathering was small because people chose not to come out at night in the wind and cold. The wind may have prevented a large crowd, but it did not take away the spirit and joy of the evening.
Together we sang Christmas carols, listened to Scripture and a devotion, and breathed in the beauty of the sanctuary decorated for the season. I was given the privilege of sharing memories with the group and now I get to share those memories with all of you. Christmas memories. We all have memories of Christmas times from our childhood. Memories are what fill our hearts and create traditions.
My first memory of Christmas in Wesley Chapel Church is singing “Away in a Manger” as a little girl and sharing Bible verses that my mom, who was my Sunday School teacher, taught us in class. I remember Christmas Sunday worship with Walter Fox leading the singing and the organ and piano being played by several different saints – Naomi, Irene, Arlene, Vera. Walter always chose “Go Tell It On The Mountain” as one of the songs we sang together.
At the end of the Sunday School time, the organist would begin to play “Here Comes Santa Claus” and from the back of the church, Santa would make his entrance carrying a bag of goodies for the children. My dad did not believe Santa Claus belonged in the church and would usher our whole family out the door during Santa’s entrance. But someone always managed to give us the white bag of candy and an orange as we went out the door.
I remember going Christmas caroling to the homes of all the older members of the Church. Walter and Berniece always shared homemade cookies with all the singers. George and Emma invited everyone into their home to sing. We had to introduce ourselves to them and usually tell them who our parents were. Then we would end our time at Arlene and Harold’s home for food and fellowship.
The memories come from events associated with Wesley Chapel Church. The memories are about the people in these events. As I shared at the service, I began to name the saints that sat in those pews who are now in Heaven. We were surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses. These saints were the foundation of my faith. They brought me to the manger. They brought me to Jesus who is God with us. They were the spirit of Jesus that blew through my life and brought me to the saving grace of Jesus.
Memories are the winds that blow through us in each season of life. Memories seem to be more intense in the holiday season, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. I believe this is because of the traditions that are associated with each one. Those traditions are connected to people who are no longer on this earth and therefore the holiday is not the same. We expect those traditions to continue like they always have and for life to stay the same. We expect everyone to show up like they have every holiday season.
But the winds of the season blow in unexpected directions and create change, loss, and unexpected intensity. Sometimes the winds are cold, and we do not want to step out into the intensity of change. Even in all the wind, the memories remain like a firm foundation. Nobody can take away your memories because memories are filled with love. The love of those who have surrounded you, and like the saints of Wesley Chapel, brought me to the greatest love of all – the love of God found in Jesus. God will allow the wind of this season to blow, but it will not take you away from His love.
This Christmas season, allow the memories to come and fill you with a sense of hope and gratefulness. No matter how you feel. No matter what you have experienced this year. Jesus still comes to be with you. Emmanuel – God is with us.
Great Gifts For Christmas
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Living In The Different
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Life Lessons of a Lone Trooper
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