Advent2011 - The Federated Church of Ayer

ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES

The Pastor's Christmas message

Suddenly, Advent has begun. Christmas is around the corner. Another year is wrapping to a close. I have been listening to so many people wonder where the time went. It seems as though the holiday season has surprised many this year.

Of course, that very first Christmas thousands of years ago surprised people. Imagine the young couple Mary and Joseph, suddenly first-time parents to a very special baby. Imagine the shepherds whose daily routine was suddenly and wonderfully changed one starry night. Imagine the three wise men who just couldn't get that mysterious light in the night sky out of their minds and so set off on the journey of a lifetime. Imagine powerful King Herod admitting to himself that he was afraid of an itty-bitty innocent baby who some said was a king. Yes, Jesus' birth surprised people. Life was going along and suddenly the birth of the baby Jesus made certain people stop for a little while and think and wonder.

Today, thousands of years later, we have heard this Christmas story countless times. We know how it goes, we understand what it means. It’s hard for us to be surprised by it. And yet, whenever it happens, God’s love breaking into human life is a surprising and wonderful event. Jesus Christ, as the reflection of God’s amazing love in our world, continues to come to us in all kinds of new and startling ways as Christians everywhere try to live according to what Jesus, the Lord of our lives, wants of us. Even today, we see the face of Jesus in anyone who tries to make this world more like God’s world through sharing Christ’s love with those around them, working towards justice for all God’s children, sharing Christ’s vision of a true and real peace, shining as a ray of hope because their faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior of the world won’t let them give into despair.

Yes, everywhere around you, even this Christmas 2011 you can still be surprised by God’s love coming into our lives and into the world. Spend this Christmas looking around you, and let yourselves be surprised by all the ways God’s love is still changing the world even as it changed the world some 2,000 years ago.

And then, have a very blessed Christmas indeed!

With all the love, hope, joy, and peace with which we wait for our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Pastor Hannelore

All are Welcome! The church is handicapped accessible from the back.

Saturday, Dec. 17 Annual Christmas party at church. Yankee swap (gifts around $5) and cookie swap (cookie recipes will also be shared) Pageant rehearsal to follow.

Sunday, Dec. 18 Sunday School Pageant, “The Christmas Caravan”. Come and hear about the Christmas story through the eyes of the wise men's camels.

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24 Service 7 p.m.

Christmas morning, Sunday, Dec. 25 Dramatic presentation of story “The Miracle Tree” by Pastor Hannelore and Tom.