HE’S HERE! The ringing of the phone awakened us at 1:58 a.m. on Saturday morning, December 11th … and instinctively I reached for the phone while still trying to wake up. I heard our youngest son saying, “Hey, I just wanted to call and tell you that you have another grandson!” Emerging from my deep zone of slumber, my mind and voice were simultaneously attempting to respond. “Grandson?! Oh, he’s here already? How awesome … congratulations, Dustin! Another precious little boy! What did you name him?” “We’re still deciding mom … we’ll call you later!” What I did learn at that point was that he came into our family at 12:42 a.m. their time, so he was only sixteen minutes old when we got the call! His daddy knew he was 6 lbs. and 11 oz. and either 19 or 19 ½ inches long, the latter being the accurate measurement! I couldn’t contain my joy and excitement and shared the great news with my hubby! Just think, grandchild #8 is here! Snuggled warmly in our bed, we chatted awhile and thanked God for the gift of this new little life in our family and for bringing him safely to us! What will they name him, we wondered? Morning came, and off to work we went, with this new grandbaby on our mind! We excitedly shared the news with co-workers. What does he look like, we wondered? How we’d LOVE to be there, we thought! On our breaks we would call back to Nebraska, sometimes missing them and having to just leave a message. By the time lunch came, we connected – and learned that this baby had a first name . . . Luke! That seemed like just the right name for this little one, but mommy and daddy were having a more difficult choice with the middle name. What will they choose, we wondered? At 10:15 p.m. that evening after we had chatted a few more times, we received a text message, simply: “Luke Michael Jones”! That was IT! The perfect name … it didn’t only sound right – it was meant to be! For after all, little Luke Michael is the third generation of three boys … and Michael is his Grampa Doug’s middle name! What a special honor for his grampa! The very next morning, an on-line photo album awaited us, and we loved viewing the delightful story in pictures of our son’s family as they welcomed little Luke into their lives and into this world. What a sweet little boy – with lots of dark hair!! Welcome, precious grandson … we are so blessed that you are here and we are awaiting that moment when we will get to see you and hold you for the first time!
HE’S HERE! The ringing announcement of the angel startled the shepherds on the hillside during their night watch that very first Christmas. But it was that same angel glowing with God’s glory that calmed the shepherds’ initial surprise with words that have echoed down through the generations ever after - until this day even. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” And it was after this incredible announcement by just one angel, that he was joined by a huge choir of angels who filled the skies with their beautiful, clear voices! And what were they singing? They were thanking God and praising Him for this Gift of all gifts: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.” (from Luke chapter 2, The Message Bible) You just cannot keep news like this to yourself ~ the whole world has to know! We want to see the Gift … we want to share the Gift … we want to ponder and cherish the Gift. Just like we wanted to let the whole world know about our little grandson, Luke - we need to see the Gift of Jesus in that same way. He’s the best Gift we can ever hope to share with our world. And our world right now needs Him SO much! And NOW THAT HE’S HERE … what do we do with Him? I think that answer comes straight from the words He spoke to his parents as a youngster when they found Him in the Temple. He told them, “I must be about my Father’s business!” We believe that should be the focus of our last few remaining days before Christmas Day arrives. We need to daily be about our Father’s business, seeking out people to touch and ways to bless them. We need to quiet our souls before our Lord and let Him speak to us – while we listen. Really listen. We just might hear the instructions we need to guide us to the right places and right people who need us to be their miracle just before Christmas. While He could come down here to earth and take care of it all by Himself, going here and doing this … going there and doing that, He’s chosen to LET US get in on this joy of announcing His coming! Your song might sound different than ours. Your gift-delivery destination might be different than ours. Your packaging might look different than ours. But … they will ALL contain the same news … the same message … the same GIFT! And His Name is Jesus! HE’S HERE!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
HE’S HERE! The ringing announcement of the angel startled the shepherds on the hillside during their night watch that very first Christmas. But it was that same angel glowing with God’s glory that calmed the shepherds’ initial surprise with words that have echoed down through the generations ever after - until this day even. “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” And it was after this incredible announcement by just one angel, that he was joined by a huge choir of angels who filled the skies with their beautiful, clear voices! And what were they singing? They were thanking God and praising Him for this Gift of all gifts: “Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please Him.” (from Luke chapter 2, The Message Bible) You just cannot keep news like this to yourself ~ the whole world has to know! We want to see the Gift … we want to share the Gift … we want to ponder and cherish the Gift. Just like we wanted to let the whole world know about our little grandson, Luke - we need to see the Gift of Jesus in that same way. He’s the best Gift we can ever hope to share with our world. And our world right now needs Him SO much! And NOW THAT HE’S HERE … what do we do with Him? I think that answer comes straight from the words He spoke to his parents as a youngster when they found Him in the Temple. He told them, “I must be about my Father’s business!” We believe that should be the focus of our last few remaining days before Christmas Day arrives. We need to daily be about our Father’s business, seeking out people to touch and ways to bless them. We need to quiet our souls before our Lord and let Him speak to us – while we listen. Really listen. We just might hear the instructions we need to guide us to the right places and right people who need us to be their miracle just before Christmas. While He could come down here to earth and take care of it all by Himself, going here and doing this … going there and doing that, He’s chosen to LET US get in on this joy of announcing His coming! Your song might sound different than ours. Your gift-delivery destination might be different than ours. Your packaging might look different than ours. But … they will ALL contain the same news … the same message … the same GIFT! And His Name is Jesus! HE’S HERE!!!
IN A NUTSHELL . . .
- THIS PAST SUNDAY with its major snowstorm - found all of us homebound, but safe and warm! It was a day to worship God in our homes and to be with our families. We missed our fellowship together, but counted our private fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ a special privilege! We pray that you were blessed!
- LOVING BIRTHDAY WISHES are sent to our youngest son, Dustin, on December 21st! May your day and your entire year to come be filled with celebration, love, and God’s favor! We love you and thank God for you, son!
- LOOKING AHEAD . . .
- THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19TH: 9:30 A.M. – (NOTE THE TIME CHANGE FOR THIS WEEK ONLY, due to an afternoon reservation at Clinton Falls.) JOIN US for our CHRISTMAS COMMUNION SERVICE & JESUS’ BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION! Pastor Doug will be sharing a meaningful Christmas message on “Seasoning Your Gatherings” from Colossians 3:1-17. It’s never too late to purpose in your heart that because of Jesus in you – you can make your gatherings rich and meaningful … not just the status quo of getting through another occasion! AND REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR GIFTS FOR JESUS’ BIRTHDAY so we can share them with the recipients and bless their hearts & touch their lives! You will NOT want to miss this time in God’s House!
- CHRISTMAS CAROLING is being planned for today following the church service, since we had to cancel last week. Let’s join our happy voices and deliver some Christmas joy to those who are shut in around our community! We will wrap things up with some steaming hot chili and crackers, and hot chocolate & Christmas treats at our last stop! We need YOUR voice and YOUR presence as we sing the wondrous Christmas carols! Thanks to everyone who signed up to help bring food for our gathering!
- CHRISTMAS EVE: Enjoy this special evening surrounded by your family in the presence of the Lord!
- CHRISTMAS DAY: Pastor Doug and Debbie wish everyone a BLESSED celebration of the birth of Jesus … and pray that this Christmas will be extraordinary in every way for you and your loved ones! We love and appreciate each of you!
- NEXTSUNDAY, DECEMBER 26TH: END-OF-YEAR CHALLENGE/COMMITMENT/CELEBRATION SERVICE
- FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31ST: NEW YEAR’S EVE GATHERING w/games, a movie, and … even breakfast!
- PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES . . .
- EACH WEEK WE ARE REMINDED THAT HE’S HERE! He walks with us & talks with us & gifts us with blessings and miracles that astound us! We honor & glorify our Lord as we continue to lift each other up before His Throne!
- REMEMBER . . . “Christmas is the day that holds all time together.” ~ Alexander Smith
Serving Christ Joyfully . . .
Pastor Doug and Debbie
