December 2024
The Pastor Ponders
As the 25th of December approaches the harbingers of this Holy Day have entertained us, misguided us, and distracted us from THE EVENT!
Frosty, the Snowman, Rudolph with his nose so bright, The Grinch, Elves on the shelves, Scrooge, Charlie Brown, and the oldies but Goodies, A Wonderful Life, and Holiday Inn! Let's not forget the hero of children everywhere and the manipulative tool of the season for adults --Jolly Old St. Nick!
Than the fact the most of our Christmas practices from hunting for the perfect tree unless you've found yours in artificial form, to searching for the perfect gift, to baking and cooking that perfect meal to the wreath on the door, to mistletoe, holly, caroling, candles, and the day itself doesn't bother me one iota. So, what if Christians realized Pagans had a good thing going with the celebration of the Winter Solstice! They also, realized that the Christ was the fulfillment of every tradition of this special day for pagans! Just as Jesus tells us he is the fulfillment of the Old Testament, its prophets, its laws, and the promises that God made to His people!
The evergreen tree becomes to us the actual fact the life is everlasting in Christ. The wreath, again a circle, unbroken-- eternity--Candles-- Jesus, the light of the world--Christmas Carols proclaim the reality of our source of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love!
So, let’s ready the house, give the gifts, put up the tree, sing our souls to glory while remembering Christmas was the arrival of not a jolly rotund old man created by Clement Moore and Coca Cola but the arrival of God's word made flesh to save the world one human being, one troubled soul, one person who believed themselves worthless, each one of us at a time in God's time with us extending that PERFECT LOVE, Unconditional Love all year round!
Frosty will melt, Rudolph, is a one night stand, the Grinch and Scrooge like us realizes redemption. The films are entertaining; however, Christmas isn't about being entertained but about being made whole in the image of God!
A God filled Christmas and 2025 to each of you!
Pastor Melanie
Christmas Eve Service – Tuesday, December 24th at 5:00 pm, South Corning United Methodist Church - a service of carols, readings and celebration of the holy nativity.
December 29th--Bathrobe Sunday--1st Sunday of Christmastide-- wear your favorite bathrobe to church--This is really a worship service.
January 5, 2025 - The visit of the Magi [Epiphany is actually January 6th}
Reminder: Hospitality and fellowship time after Sunday Worship every Sunday. Gluten free offerings are now available.
We continue to hold in prayer the following:
Nora Miller, Shirley Brownell, Tom Dimitroff and family, Michael Rennells and family, Dan & Kathy Rucco, Marlene Derminio, Beatrice Bebee’s relative – John, Andy Beuter [pastor's nephew], all those who are going through seasonal emotional issues.
