Merry Christmas!  Are you getting excited yet about the big day?  Wasn’t it great to be back in the Lord’s house this past Sunday!  What a great service with all the special music and extra carols!

If you missed the student ministries program—”Angels Aware”, on Sunday night you missed a blessing.  The kids did a wonderful job [even some of the old kids .. a.k.a. Moses & Isaiah].  A special thanks to Pastor Dale and all the adult sponsors.

In this weeks issue of Tuesday on the Run I want to remind you again, about what really matters this Christmas season.  You may have seen this before, but it serves as a much needed reminder.  It’s called   

First Corinthians 13—Christmas Version

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my neighbors, I’m just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to my family, I’m just another cook.

If I work at the soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my friends, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir’s cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the entire point of the holidays.

Love stops the cooking to kiss the spouse.

Love sets aside the decorating to call a hurting friend.

Love is kind to other shoppers and store clerks, however harried and tired.

Love doesn’t envy another’s home that has coordinated Christmas china, table linens … and a front porch.

Love doesn’t yell at the kids to get out of the way, but finds constructive ways to include them in the preparations.

Love doesn’t give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who can’t … and does it in lavish, generous ways.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things … regardless of the attitude of those around us.

Love never fails.

Video games will break, pretty necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust -- but the gift of LOVE will endure forever.

Have a great week and remember that the greatest gift is the gift of love!

In Christ,
Pastor Barry