Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Luke 1:46-55; Luke 2:1-7 & Luke 2:8-20 "For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6; NRSV).

Not sure about you, but the lessons and carols-type worship orchestrated by our dear Rev. Marlayna et. al., this past Sunday has become an event I look forward to every CHRISTmas! The old old story, His story... God's story has been re-told, yet it doesn't grow old. As I pray to grow older gracefully without retiring from life, I don't tire of our annual tadition's repetition. Since around August this year I've admittedly been more in need of anchors like [it], so as to not slide down that slippery slope of cynicism.

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving: 'a child has been born for us'; I / we are the benefactors of something that often takes some significant thinking, feeling, perceiving, accepting to keep it out of the warranted or earned category. The 'counselor', 'mighty', 'everlasting' and 'father' descriptors bring me feelings of: acceptance that my differences are worthy of his love, warmth, strength to endure life's turmoil and absolute security. 'Prince' is difficult for me because of human loyalty to royalty which hasn't always been honorable; Jesus is Lord and King in my view. I vehemently believe peace could be achieved if hearts changed and we truly acknowledged Him as 'prince of peace'. I know this to be true because when I asked why we have so many lights around at CHRISTmas time after Grace the other night, Fiona (5) immediately boasted, "because Jesus is the light of the world!" Hope looms and his Papa need say nothin' more; .... embrace His-story, and joy, peace & love are promised to follow; or @ least think about IT. .....the merriest CHRISTmas to you & yours, Kevin serving with His FFC Deacons