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Written by Vickie Stone, from the Village Church. 

When I graduated from Ohio State and moved to California in 1986, it was a big adventure and the beginning of my independence as an adult, far from my childhood home.  It was the pre-internet age, so writing my first Christmas letter felt like the perfect way to bring all my friends and family up to date on my life on the West Coast. I loved including it with my photo Christmas card. It was the beginning of what would become my own personal Christmas tradition. My photo cards captured a milestone such as seeing the service puppy I raised, go off to professional training or a big event, such as traveling to Australia or Turkey. I know some people cringe when they read Christmas letters, perhaps feeling that the writer is bragging about their kids’ becoming astronauts or winning the Nobel prize.

But I love them. I love hearing everyone’s news, even if nowadays I may have seen some of their events through the year, on their Facebook posts. Christmas letters are a form of documenting what matters in our lives. Reflecting back and reading my old Christmas letters lets me enjoy my adventures all over again or reminisce about dear ones I miss, that are no longer on this earth. There have been times that I have thought of stopping my tradition because it does take time to craft it, read, edit, re-edit; but even that exercise is beneficial since it allows me to pause during a very busy season to really consider my year, recognizing the best times were the cherished memories made with special people. Sending Christmas cards with or without newsy Christmas letters, is certainly a way to let people know you love them and wish them well during the Christmas season.  May this season find you reflecting on all that was precious during your year and asking ourselves how we can follow Jesus to live the lives he wants for us.

A Christmas Letter by Keith Whitley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGGb4RBMLxg

Written by Melanie Chitwood, a contemporary author. 

Dear Lord, don’t let us miss You this Christmas season. Help us to simplify our activities and traditions so we can focus our celebration on Your birth. Thank You for being the Prince of Peace, and I ask You for that supernatural peace to reign in our hearts. Thank You for the simple but life-changing message of Your love for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Written by Mary Ann Whittier/Johansen, from the Village Church.

Virgin Mary riding a donkey, Joseph knocking on doors and being refused a room: This was our view on December 24, 1979.  Bob and I and our three teenage daughters stood on the balcony of our parador and watched the Christmas story unfold in the community square of Ubeda, Spain.  At one end the classical facade of Sacra Capilla del Salvador was lit to show statues of saints looking down on the tender scene.   Bob and I brought our family to Spain so our eldest daughter would stay in Europe during her studies abroad in France.  Using an unopened umbrella covered with a green skirt, our three daughters had fashioned a Christmas tree decorated with hair ornaments and cutouts from catalogs. Epiphany, not Nativity, marks gift giving in Spain, so stores were busy.  We bought fine leather boots. Natividad is joyous. The church is packed with worshipers.  The statues are polished and dressed in fresh clothing.  Baby Jesus wears gold sandals and silk swaddling.  All are invited to kiss this statue.  I kiss Him and so does one daughter.  The other three good Presbyterians defer.  Young choirboys in traditional red and white robes walk the aisles singing and playing tambourines.  We all rejoice. (This community in Andalusia was designated a World Heritage site in 2003).

Submitted by Laura Metzger from the Village Church.

John and I have added this newer carol, “That’s Christmas to Me” to our play list of Christmas favorites.  To us it represents the meaning of Christmas – family traditions, friendships, hospitality,   love, joy, and giving,.  May your Christmas be filled with the spirit of Christmas found in Christ incarnate.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFjdfjrtf1Q

Written by Ruth Grendell, from the Village Church.

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation. Philippians 4:12

When I listened to the sermon on “We the Church,” I thought about my experiences in Romania after the assignation of Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife, Elana, on Christmas Day, 1989.  During his communist dictator’s reign, cathedrals were shut down, and churches were closely monitored by his secret security force ministers to ensure there was no mention of primarily worshipping God. The people were hostages!  However,

Ceausescu had difficulty controlling the people in the northern part of the country where churches continued to exist, and their members secretly worshipped God together. Monasteries were hidden underground but people whose Romanian Orthodox beliefs never wavered were surviving quite well. Several years later, I led a group of student nurses to Romania.  In Bucharest, we stayed with families, learning about their beliefs and world views. During this time, we worked with children, adult, and geriatric facilities and taught the patient care providers who had minimal skills.  A few weeks later, we were invited to travel to the northern area where we visited with the people, attended their churches, and shared our love of Christ. What a wonderful way to end our trip—knowing their faith gatherings continued to grow.  It was difficult to say goodbye, hugs were plentiful, and we all promised to pray for each other.  In fact, we continued to connect when the new missionaries arrived!  We the Church!

Written by Joanne Melton, from the Village Church.

Because Christmas is the time of year we celebrate the birth of Christ, as a light in a dark world we light our trees in recognition…”

Many of us, as our family has over the years, decorate more than one Christmas tree.  I would like to share the story of our little, but brightly shining Christmas tree.  We place this tree in a very prominent place for everyone to see. Almost twenty years ago, an idea was presented to our family about a “Thanksgiving Tree.” Please do not worry, I have my holidays in correct order. To me and my husband, Robert, the focal point of our life together was and is our family. What began as a suggestion from a dear friend has become a treasured and important focal point for the beginning of the Christmas season.  When our very first grandchild, Harrison, was born, a friend gifted us a precious picture of him hanging from a sweet ribbon in the most miniature of picture frames.  At that very moment, The Melton Family Tree was born!  Every mother, father, cousin, grandmother, and grandfather all share their special place tucked between the branches of this small but mighty tree!  Each year a new picture, in new picture frames are chosen and placed in their special spot. Then, the magic happens when all are circled around, and the lights are on.  We look at the new pictures and compare them with ones from previous years. “Look at so and so.” “Is this Uncle T?”  The conversation never ceases.  There are giggles and pointing and even effort to hide certain pictures. This little tree has become the light and life of our family and the love, peace and joy we share together … and so, to my dear friend, Mary, thank you for the “little light” you shined on our Christmas Tree and the joy you brought with it.  Merry Christmas!

From the Mozarabic Collect, a liturgical rite of the Latin Church once used generally in the Iberian Peninsula (Hispania), in what is now Spain and Portugal.  Developed in the 500s AD.

O Lord Jesus Christ, true God from true God, you became a little child for us so the world you made would be saved. Just as a child is born to us and a Son is given to us, may we be born again through you and always remain in the number of God’s faithful children; through your merits, O blessed Savior, with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Written by Irene Dickson, from the Village Church.

I decided to go minimalist with the decorations last Christmas, eliminating the garland on the mantle as the lights no longer worked, and purchasing a slim tree that would tidily fit into a corner of our small home. As I began to haul out the boxes full of Christmas cheer, our elder son commented on how much he loved the garland on the mantle. Our daughter said she hoped I wasn’t putting up the slim Christmas tree. Our younger son was happy to know the house would be all ‘Christmassy’ when he arrived the week before the festivities, and he wouldn’t have to do a thing to help! So, once again, the old garland and wide tree were duly set up, us spending considerable time wrapping new lights around both, fluffing up the branches, and moving furniture around to accommodate the larger tree, as requested. The traditions we established when our children were small continue today, and although they’re grown and live their own lives, when they’re home at their parents’ house for Christmas, they all want the same traditions they have always had. Often we, as parents, overlook what’s important to our adult ‘kids’ and it’s always good to get confirmation that they want Christmas how it’s always been -Church on Christmas Eve; an apple, orange and chocolate money in their stocking; a British candy ‘selection box’; and of course the old garland on the mantle and big Christmas tree squeezed into a spot in the living room. Our hope is they’ll continue these traditions with their own families when they celebrate the birth of Jesus.

This traditional Christmas song was released by Bing Crosby in 1943, when many soldiers were not able to be home for Christmas.  While a secular song, it expresses the wishing for a place or a person, as we wish for the return of our Savior.  It also causes us to be humbled by the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families.  May we pray for peace and remember the many who will not be with their families this Christmas and those who are directly impacted by the wars throughout the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=buQflbgbZ4I

Written by Cindy Guy, from the Village Church.

As the Christmas holiday approaches, I am reminded of when I was young, and the family would gather together in anticipation of watching Charlie Brown Christmas special on TV.  I loved how Snoopy and the characters turned the Charlie Brown Christmas tree into a fully decorated tree blessed by love at Christmas.  Also, I was always inspired by the recitation that Linus gave from Luke 2: 8-14 and how it set the tone for the “reason for the season.”  So, every Christmas holiday, I grab my mug of hot chocolate and memorize the verses from Luke 2: 1-20, the time and place of Jesus’ birth, the angelic announcement, and the shepherds’ visit.  I love verse 19 and how Mary “kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.”  I also like to memorize the classic poem “’ Twas the Night Before Christmas,” by Clement Clarke Moore, 1823.  May the Lord’s blessings find you and richly bless you this season.  Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a Happy Advent.