At Christmas, people’s thoughts often turn to family.  We remember days of old and, perhaps Christmases past when things seemed brighter and more joyful or, at least more simple.  We remember family that we may not have seen for a while or who, for one reason or another, we have not communicated with.  Family is a great reason for travel at Christmas.  For most of the last few years of ministry, we have had no family close by.  Many of you are in the same boat.  We call, we write, we yearn for their presence when all the while, family is close by, right next to us in the pew.  We have always seen our congregation as family: those people who are there when we are in need and on whose prayers we can count.  We have counted you as family.  So, even when our children could not come for Christmas or we were not traveling away, we had family right here, close by.  The people of God who celebrate the coming of Jesus are our family and yours.  As we gather for worship look around and see your sisters and brothers in the faith.  May we love and care and laugh and cry together as family and celebrate Jesus’ birth the Christmas.  Read Luke 1:39-45 and remember: God loves YOU unconditionally.

Pastor Ed