“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.””

For 22 years Catherine and I have been celebrating Christmas together.  Over all these years we have seen the traditions of our childhoods incorporated into our own family style.

When I was a child Christmas morning was an exciting time of anticipation.  We could hardly sleep Christmas Eve but my brother (Michael) and I knew that our older sister (Jacky) would come to wake us up even before sunrise.  I guess it was the older part (sorry sis) but she always got up first.  Once we were awake she would go get our baby sister (Rendy).  Then, as if pounding off of springs under our feet, we would run jump in bed with our parents and tell them that Santa had come.  “It’s time to get up!”

Yes, I can still hear the voice of my patient father, “Let’s go back to bed for a little while, the sun is not even awake yet!”

And no, we did not go to bed. We all rushed into the living room where the tree was, looked around to find our presents from Santa and then the explosion of wanting to open the gifts would take place.

It was at that moment that our parents would remind us of the real reason of Christmas!  Either Mom or Dad would open up the Bible and we would read the Christmas story.

Well, my father is no longer alive to read the story and because our own families have grown so large, we don’t gather as the H.J & Orell Hedgepeth family on Christmas morning anymore.  However, we do gather as the Mitchell Hedgepeth family each Christmas now.  And somewhere during the not-so-rushed morning, we will stop and read the Christmas story.

This year, I think I’ll have my father-in-law (Bill Bowlus) read it. It has kind of become “our” family tradition for him to do so!

“Today….a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

A gifted public speaker was asked to recall his most difficult speaking assignment. “That is easy,” he answered. “It was an address I gave to the National Conference of Undertakers. The topic they gave me was, ‘How to Look Sad at a Ten Thousand Dollar Funeral.’” Now that’s a tough assignment!
As we have recently been looking at a Life-giving Christmas, I have pondered the question of excitement people seemed to have had in the early church years. How could people be sad when they discovered something so wonderful as the Messiah? It is obvious to me that there was much joy in the church during the early ministries of people like Paul, Matthew, Peter and so many others.
Do you remember the words of Paul, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4)? The joy Paul shared was not because of the setting he found himself in. The presence of the Holy Spirit of God lived within him and produced a joy within that was unspeakable.
For the last to Sunday evenings I have received a joyful blessing by attending the Christmas performances of our Children’s choirs two weeks ago and our Youth choir last week. Their programs were awesome, the music was exceptional but it was the joy of a child (the children) that made my Christmas complete.

Jesus is the joy of living;
He’s the King of Life to me.
Unto Him my all I’m giving,
His forevermore to be.
I will do what He commands me;
Anywhere He leads I’ll go.
Jesus is the joy of living;
He’s the dearest friend I know.
- Alfred H. Ackley

May your Joy be made complete this Christmas Season as you, “Rejoice in the Lord always, I will say it again: Rejoice” (Philippians 4:4)?

Wow! It is busy around here! Last Tuesday night, the youth had their largest fundraiser of the year, “Ladies Night Out!” The following were some impressions I had from the day of the event:

I just came from the gym! Everything is so beautiful!  All the tables are decorated.

Christmas china!
Huge table arrangements!
Magnificent designer table cloths!
A stage setting to “die for!”
Food being prepared in the kitchen!
What can I say? “It is going to be a marvelous night!”

The setting has over three hundred places reserved!  The youth are planning on being here to serve the meals!  Stevie Jones, Beverly Oliver, Nel Joyner, Linda Pope, Debby Conway and so many others have worked tirelessly to get everything ready.

It is obvious to me that everyone is coming because of the awesome settings and wonderful meal being prepared!  Dinner! Hallelujah! I can’t wait!

“What do you mean I can’t stay?”
“Well you do get to say the prayer!”
“But, what about dinner?
“This meal is for Ladies only!”
“How many ladies are you planning on being here?”
“Over 300!”
“You are kidding?  What do you want me to speak on?”
“Oh, you are not the speaker.”
“Three hundred people!”
“Ladies!”
“And I don’t get to speak?”
“Correct!”
“Well, you do have ushers? Remember, those ladies are carrying purses and we’ll need to take an offering!”

Just kidding with the conversation! Isn’t it awesome to have something so wonderful that people (ladies) are willing to fellowship with one another, listen to an awesome speaker (who is not me!) and share to love of God!

For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body…and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (I Corinthians 12:13)