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Well, this is the last Friday column for 2024 as we will take next week off and return the first week of January. On Wednesday this week, after our Roots Meal, I had the opportunity along with many others to go Christmas caroling. The rain didn’t deter us from spreading Christmas cheer in our community. Thanks to Lori Holzhauer for organizing the caroling and to all who participated and thanks especially to those who drove on a dreary night.

This Sunday we will celebrate the fourth Sunday of Advent with a focus on love. On Sunday night at 7:00 pm, we will have our Candlelight Christmas service. This is always a very special worship service, and we invite you back for that. And of course, Christmas Eve candlelighting service is Tuesday at 6:30 pm, but do come at 6:00 for fellowship, cookies, and the opportunity for a Christmas themed family picture.  Please remember that the staff will be having limited hours between Christmas and New Years because of the holidays and vacation.

This week I was able to visit Ron Bolt at LGH as he is still seeking healing for his knee. Had a great visit Emma Dubble, Glenn and Anna Mary Kreider and was able to stop in and see Don and Frances Kreider. In the midst of the busyness of the week, I was able to complete my Christmas shopping and wrap all my gifts, which I think may be the earliest that I have ever completed those activities. 

This is now the third Advent/Christmas season that Ruth and I have been a part of at Mechanic Grove and it each one seems to get more special. We have enjoyed so much this year the music of the season and the enthusiasm and excitement for Christmas that we see in so many of you each week. It is the most wonderful time of the year but not because of decorations and gifts but rather the GIFT—Jesus Christ, Emmanuel—God with us. What a joy it has been to celebrate that wonderful truth over the last month and thank you for your cards, gifts, and special treats for us this Christmas

A big thank you to Diane Herr and the amazing team she put in place to enable the Journey to the Nativity last weekend. Despite the cold temperatures, it was a blessing to see many come through and hear the story of our Savior’s birth through drama and song. Of course, it wouldn’t be possible without the participation of so many volunteers. What a gift to our community as we celebrate Jesus—our one true gift. This week the church was bustling with activity as COM began to transition from the second floor to the first floor of the education wing. Many volunteers were here all week helping to move furniture and hang TVs and bulletin boards. On Tuesday, Janae and Aliza brought together many from the COM staff and from our Little Roots program for a time of prayer and walking through the new space to talk about how we can best share these new rooms. The downstairs is so much brighter, and I was glad to see the excitement for this new space among our dedicated COM staff and Little Roots volunteers. Of course, we will begin soon the renovations of the upstairs classrooms for our adults in the new year. And once again we are still about $100,000 short of anticipated expenses to finish the remodeling so if you would like to give an end of the year gift, please do so noting that it is for the strategic vision.

In Luke 2, right after the shepherds return from Bethlehem glorifying and praising God, we have the story of Jesus being presented at the temple. That story includes a man named Simeon and a woman named Anna. Each of them recognized that baby Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. They were looking each day for His coming. They were anxiously expecting to see the Messiah before they died. They were older but lived with great anticipation and responded with great joy in seeing the baby Jesus. Simeon even took the infant in his arms and spoke words of prophecy over Him. Anna spoke to Mary and Joseph about the child and praised God that her Messiah had come. Simeon and Anna aren’t a typical part of the Christmas story. They aren’t on the front of any Christmas card you will receive. They are faithful worshippers of God, but more like Christmas leftovers. But they lived with expectation and anticipation that they would see the blessing of God in the arrival of their Messiah. May we live out these final days of Advent with such devotion and expectation as we prepare to celebrate the most wondrous news that “unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:11).

Let’s get ready to celebrate! Our Savior has come! I look forward to our joyful celebration of Christmas starting Sunday morning and including Sunday evening and Tuesday evening. May our hearts overflow with praise and worship of Emmanuel—God with Us! Have a great weekend and I look forward to seeing you Sunday as we celebrate the good news of great joy that is for all people. Emmanuel—God with us. Remember it is Friday…but Sunday (and Christmas!) is coming…

Merry Christmas from Pastor Kevin and Ruth