"Seize the eternal life, the life you were called to, the life you so fervently embraced..." - 1Timothy 6:12
One of my favorite memories from growing up was the opening of Christmas presents in my family. Each year, someone was chosen to be Santa and this person was then responsible for the equal and fair distribution of presents to all who had gathered.
I've been wondering this week; "why is it that we all wanted to play Santa?"
I think it has something to do with the joy we get in being the person who gets to give the gifts. It's always so exciting to watch eyes light up as someone realizes that the next gift chosen is going to be their gift.
There's the old adage that says its better to give than to receive and the more Christmases I experience in my life, the more I realize the wisdom and truth in these words. There is tremendous joy in giving a gift that someone truly wants and needs.
Maybe that's why God is so generous in his gifts to us? Maybe, there are lessons to be learned about how we ought to relate to others, considering the way God relates to us?
Faithful living requires that we become adept at both giving and receiving. In learning to receive, we begin to learn what it means to let go of our desire to be in control. In learning to give, we learn to orient our lives towards our neighbors rather than towards our wants and needs. By becoming adept at giving and receiving, we begin to lay claim to the life that is truly life - the life offered to us in the manger of Christmas.
Pastor Tony |
 CLC Live Nativity
Join us this weekend, Dec. 19 and 20, as Canton Lutheran Church presents its live nativity "An Evening at the Stable" There will be three presentations each evening at 5:30, 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. Following the narrated drama, attendees are invited into CLC's Fellowship Hall for a craft and bake sale along with soup and hot chocolate provided by the Sr. High Youth. On Sunday evening at 7:30 pm our event will be capped off with a choir Cantata of "Holy Night of Miracles". We look forward to seeing everyone there. |
Saturday, December 19th
No Worship
LIVE NATIVITY @ 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30
Sunday, December 20th
Worship @ 9:30 am
Pre-K/K Christmas program. Gospel Choir Cantata Choir / No Adult Sunday School
LIVE NATIVITY @ 5:30, 6:00 & 6:30
CANTATA @ 7:30 pm
Wednesday, December 23rd
No Wednesday programming or worship
CHRISTMAS EVE
Worship at 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm
CHRISTMAS DAY
Worship at 10:00 am
Saturday, December 26th
No Worship
Sunday, December 27th
Worship at 9:30 am
(no Sunday School)
Wednesday, December 30th
No Wednesday programming or worship
Saturday, January 2nd
Worship @ 5:00 pm
Sunday, January 3rd
Worship at 9:30 am
(no Sunday School)
Wednesday, January 6th
ROCK @ 3:30
Homework Time @ 5:00
Pizza @ 5:30
Confirmation @ 6:15
WednesdaySchool @ 6:15
WOW Worship @ 7:00
Saturday, January 7th
Worship @ 5:00 pm
Sunday, January 8th
Sunday School at 8:45 am
Worship at 9:30 am
Fellowship at 10:30 am |
