I’m going to admit when it comes to decorating for Christmas, I’m really glad that there are people who love it. I “like” decorating for Christmas, but it doesn’t give me as much joy as it does some folks. Maybe this stems from traumatic memories from my youth – lying on the floor in the living room, sweating while turning those ridiculous screws into the crooked trunk of our Christmas tree, while at the same time, needles falling down the back of my shirt collar and asking my dad if the tree was straight while he held his head a little bit sideways and said, “Yes.” The tree wasn’t straight, and I would almost always end up with hives or some weird rash. It was enough to make me say, “Bah, Humbug!”
But fast-forward a few years. . .
Even in these early days of Advent, our younger son is especially excited to see what he calls “Derrrations” – pretty lights that people hang on their homes, Christmas trees glinting in windows, yard displays with inflatable Santas and Grinches and Snoopys. We can be riding home from daycare or going somewhere when it’s dark outside, and he will suddenly, joyfully, exclaim, “Derrrations! Derrrations!”
As I write this, our Fellowship Hall at the church is full of people from the Bedford community putting up festive “Derrrations” for the Festival of Trees. This event will be held on Friday evening (12/6) and Saturday afternoon (12/7).
On Saturday, at 4 PM, everyone attending the Festival of Trees in the Fellowship Hall will be invited outside to the front lawn of the church for a Community Tree Lighting event.
This will be a new thing for us – trying to bring together different community groups (the Bedford Women’s Club, the Bedford Garden Club, etc.), along with individuals from around the town, folks from Bedford Presbyterian, and others. We hope the event will help rekindle community spirit and celebrate the season. And it is my hope that there will be a lot of joy.
It is a joy to serve as your pastor during this season of Advent.
See you in church!
Grace and Peace,
John
Prepare for Worship
This Week: “We Can’t Go Alone” (Words for the Beginning – Week 2)
- Read Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
- Read Ruth 1
- Read or sing Hymn # 121 – “O Little Town of Bethlehem”
BONUS MATERIAL:
Christmas Tree Decorating Tips