The Christmas Tree Truck

     It was just an old faded blue pickup truck yet for two little girls it magically became a bright, shiny Christmas tree truck.  The blue GMC extended cab truck was purchased new in 1983; it was a family vehicle as well as a work truck.  It wasn’t until 1989 that it was first used to bring home the family Christmas tree. The trunk was still blue but not as shiny.  The girls were so excited they were going to a Christmas tree farm to pick out the biggest tree they could find.  Maybe there would be horses near by as well as cows and sheep since it was a farm.  They did know that there would be hot chocolate and cookies to share after finding the right tree to bring home.  Finding the right tree meant looking at almost all of the trees, it had to be tall and full and stand straight, there had to be lots of branches to hold all of the lights and ornaments, especially near the bottom since that was the part of the tree the girls could reach to decorate.  After a few hours of looking Dad finally was able to cut down the tree and Mom paid for it while the girls enjoyed the cookies and hot chocolate, then homeward bound the girls would fall asleep in the back of the truck.  For the next 15 years it was tradition to visit the Christmas tree farm and bring home the perfect tree.  It didn’t always take several hours since the girls got older they really did not have to look at every tree to pick the perfect one.  The blue truck was not used as the family vehicle, however it was still used as a work truck and every November it was checked out to make sure it could make the trip up the hill and carry home the tree.  It was no longer bright blue, faded from years of wear and tear, yet it was an important part of that special Christmas tradition of bringing home the tree that would light up our living room on Christmas day.  To this day that old faded blue pickup truck is referred to as the Christmas tree truck when we remember those precious moments.

      Remember your Christmas traditions this season.  May they keep your family connected to each other and may you share them in the spirit of Love and with the Grace of God. Amen.                      

 from Jo Ann of Monterey United Methodist Church 

"Be Ye Kind, one to another..."

“Be ye kind, one to another.”  Ephesians 4:32

      A long time ago I read a book which had a paragraph I’ve never forgotten.  In the story, the leading character (we’ll call her Jennifer), goes to a bank to be interviewed for a job there.  The bank president learns that Jennifer’s husband is Jewish, so she now has a Jewish name, although she is a Christian. 

     The president comments that Jennifer has probably been the victim of some discrimination by people who dislike Jews.  (He is Jewish and may have been speaking from personal experience.)  He tells Jennifer that “People should be more tolerant and should show more love for each other.”

     Jennifer responds by saying, “I would not preach tolerance, for that presupposes faults in those to be tolerated.  Nor would I demand love, for that should be the gift of a free will.  But simply to be kind – that is not too much to ask of any of us.”

     During this season of Advent, I’m sure all of us will have many opportunities to be kind to others.  May we each keep in mind the above verse from Ephesians as we go about our daily routines. 
– from Marcia B of our church

“Scents and Cents”

     My father died when I was 10 years old, so my Christmas memories of my early years are few.  My daddy was ill and couldn’t work all the time, but he was handy with his hands.  He made a wheel that would rotate with a small motor.  The wheel had three colors on it, red, green and blue.  He would spray the tree white, shine the wheel rotation on it and it would change color.  People would stop, watching our tree change colors.

     Mother would start baking right after Thanksgiving.  She made fruitcake every year.  The house would smell of spice and baking cookies.

     There wasn’t much money, so Christmas would mean socks and underwear, maybe new pajamas.  There would be one special gift, so my sister and I would spend hours going through the “Sears Wishbook.”

     We spent Christmas with church and dinner with my father’s Danish family.  That meant Eibaishiven (small round Danish pancakes.)  Delicious.

      Christmas mean family together, not a lot of money, but a lot of love.

     Father God, I thank you for memories of past Christmases and also

for Christmases to come.

                             from Carolyn B, from our church  

God is greater than our weakness.

Let nothing disturb you.

Let nothing frighten you.

All things are changing.

God alone is changeless.

Patience attains the good.

One who has God lacks nothing.

God alone fills all our needs

                             St. Teresa of Avila

          God's faithfulness has never depended on the faithfulness of his children.  He is faithful even when we aren't.  When we lack courage, he doesn't.  He has made a history out of using people in spite of people.  An example of this is the feeding of the five thousand.  It is the only miracle, aside from those of the final week, recorded in all four Gospels.  Why did all four writers think it worth repeating?  Perhaps they wanted to show how God doesn't give up even when his people do.

     When the disciples didn't pray, Jesus prayed.  When the disciples didn't see God, Jesus sought God.  When the disciples were weak, Jesus was strong.  When the disciples had no faith, Jesus had faith.

     God is greater than our weakness.  It is our weakness that reveals how great God is.  God is faithful even when his children are not.

from Cindy H in our church

Christmas Letter from the Pastor

     I once read a story about a little girl who made a small manger-crib out of sticks.  But then she lined it with a piece of blue silk.  Her mother saw this and reminded her that the baby Jesus had straw for his bed.  Her answer?  “I know, but when he comes this Christmas, I want to give him my best, not just straw.”

     Children often have a spiritual wisdom that pokes adults in the heart.  In the words of the song, we’ve grown a little sadder, grown a little colder, grown a little older... Well, we can also give all of that to the baby in the manger.  He can take our harder, colder, sadder spirits and in his hands they can rest and be renewed.  The Bethlehem babe is glad to receive us in whatever shape we arrive at the manger. 

     Of course, we can bring other gifts as well.  We can bring our good intentions and ask him to make them firm.  We can bring him our noble goals and ask him to strenthen our resolution.  We can offer him our desires for integrity, justice, love and mercy and ask his guidance.  We can bring our concern for the world and ask him to show us how to make the difference that he wants us to make.  We can bring him our best and know that in partnership with him, our best can be even better. 

     Christmas day was not the climax...it was the beginning.  Alleluia!

REJOICE!

REJOICE!  - 

     I love looking forward to things!  The excitement of waiting for something to happen is almost as much fun as when the event finally takes place.  For the past 5 years, I have gone on a snowshoeing trip in Colorado.  It is a planned trip where I join a group of friends and family members for a week.  I always know exactly when the trip is, even a year in advance.  I know exactly where I’m going.  Transportation will be comfortable and speedy.  I know what the lodging will be like.  I know the food will be terrific.  I know all the people who will be there and I know we’ll have fun together.

ADVENT is looking forward to something exciting!  It’s a special time of the year when events leading up to the birth of Jesus Christ are as exciting as the birth itself.  The Christmas story tells of the anticipation of Jesus’ birth and an angel foretelling what would happen.  As exciting as the times were, uncertainty prevailed.  Three Wise Men journeyed a long way to find this special baby, Jesus.  They weren’t sure of where they were going or how to get there and certainly weren’t sure of what would await them!  They followed a star, of all things, to find their way to the place where Jesus lay.  There was no lodging for them!  There wasn’t even lodging for Jesus! Parents!  This wasn’t a fun trip for the parents.  They were traveling because of a census taking place that required them to travel.  No part of this trip was going to be fun. Transportation was slow and uncomfortable.  They were alone…not with family members.  Food was probably a secondary thought for them much of the time.  Then the miracle happened…a Savior was born!

     Today we are the beneficiaries of all those blessed events!  All these many years later, the story told then is still exciting today.  We know about the trip taken by Mary and Joseph.  We know where they were going.  We know what the lodging was like, be it ever so humble.  We know there were those who came to be with them.  God was surely there.  They were no alone after all and neither are we.  May this season be a joyful and blessed one for us all as we await and prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus!

P.S. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

From Nancy J of Monterey United Methodist Church

Luke 2:8-20

Advent

     Advent, the “before” time; before we celebrate Christ’s birth.  It is also in today’s modern world, one of the busiest times of the year.   We shop, cook, clean, wrap, bake, party all in His honor.  But do we remember and revere Him as we do all the “things” or just get caught up in the busyness?

Lord, as I go about my preparations, help me to be mindful who this is really about.  May I always remember that your Son’s birth was such a miracle, like no other, and let me remember it with awe.

     John 3:16  “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

--From Rowan, a church member

Beginning of Advent

From Church Member Ellie M:

          T'was the Night before Advent,
             our time to prepare
              for the birth of our Savior,
             the angels declare ............
        

     In Luke, chapter 2, verses 1 - 20  , we read again the Christmas story      Joseph, betrothed to Mary, was a descendant of David (yes, King David), so he, Joseph was ordered by the Emperor, to go to Bethlehem (David's home town) to register for the census.  That is why they had to journey that distance at the very time Mary was nearing her time to deliver her child.  Many people also were told to go for this important registration for the census, hence we understand why the town of Bethlehem was so crowded.  As the story goes, they were hurried off to a place where Mary delivered her baby, a humble stable, where there were animals sheltered as well.  Scripture tells us: "and Mary remembered these things, and thought deeply about them".    I am thinking deeply about them too and wondering if Mary and Joseph were prepared for this very important event ???  Was Bethlehem prepared ??, Are we prepared today???

     What does it mean to be prepared?  Webster’s dictionary describes it this way:
      1.  to make ready, usually for a specific purpose
      2.  to ,make oneself ready
      3.  to equip with the necessary provisions
      4.  to put together, according to plan, even music
     Advent is our time to prepare and some ways to accomplish preparation may be 1. To familiarize again with the history and facts surrounding Jesus' birth.  Read in Isaiah chapter 40, verses 1-6.  The Prophet Isaiah proclaims that the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all mankind shall see it.  Secondly, (2), to make oneself ready, sing along with the Messiah community choirs, who invite you to sing "Prepare Ye the way of the Lord"  In community with others, we sing and celebrate "Behold the Lamb of God"    "For unto us a Child is given"   "Hallelujah" ......These words, according to the majesty of music, brings us into preparation.  Of course the practice of prayer and meditation takes us even further into spiritual preparation.  Another way, thirdly (3) to prepare is to equip with the necessary provisions : a green Christmas tree, a star on top, wreaths of lush greenery, a beautiful rose on the altar, all symbols of God's creation and love.  "Oh Christmas Tree", how lovely are your branches.  Lastly , (4) prepare by putting together, according to plan your participation in the nativity.  Assemble the props, such as robes and staffs, Shepherds and animals to set the stage. Visualize and witness the children in pageant.  Realize the place, the smells, the humble-ness of the babe on a bed of straw.  As Tony sings "Sweet Little Jesus Boy, we didn't know who He was".......
     We have only 26 days in Advent, to prepare   ---   Advent began November 28, 2010; Advent ends December 24, 2010.

Go forth and Prepare the way of the Lord........   and you will feel the blessings of the Lord our God.

HOPE

          H   is for healing

          O   is for optimism

          P   is for prayer

          E   is for eternal

From JoAnn, a member of our church

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can,

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

John Wesley

“To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children...to leave the world a better place...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson