This week the words of other writers speak more eloquently of the Spirit of the season than do my own, so Sam's Picture I share them with you. First is Edmund Sears' third verse of the great hymn, "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear." The second selection is from the pen of Charles Dickens and is the admonition of Christmas Present to Ebenezer Scrooge as he examines the Cratchit
family.

"And ye, beneath life's crushing load,
    whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way,
    with pitiful steps and slow.
Look now! For glad and golden hours
    come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road,
    and hear the angels sing."

"Mark my words, Ebenezer Scrooge. I do not present the Cratchits to you because they are a handsome, or brilliant family. They are not handsome. They are not brilliant. They are not well-dressed, or tasteful to the times. Their shoes are not even waterproofed by virtue of money or cleverness spent. So when the pavement is wet, so are the insides of their shoes and the tops of their toes. These are the Cratchits, Mr. Scrooge. They are not highly special. They are happy, grateful, pleased with one another, contented with the time and how it passes. They don't sing very well, do they? But nonetheless, they do sing...."

There are times, indeed, when we feel life's crushing blows and when our steps are slow. There are times when we do not feel handsome or particularly brilliant, and the holidays make some of those thoughts even more pronounced. In those times, we must work even more diligently to understand the subtle significance of this season. In those times we remember another writer who, quoting an ancient text, gave this message: "...they shall call his name Immanuel which interpreted is 'God with us.'"

Let us remember both in dark and in light, in depression and joy, in running about and in standing, "God is with us." I wish you a Merry Christmas.

I'll see you this Sunday.

News

Christmas Eve Services

Children's Nativity Services

3 p.m. & 6 p.m.

Candlelight Communion

4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. & 11 p.m.

Childcare provided for the 4 p.m. & 7:30 p.m. Services.

The church offices and all buildings will be closed on the following dates: Christmas Holiday, Thursday through Saturday, December 25 - 27, 2014 and New Year's Holiday, Thursday, through Saturday, January 1-3, 2015

Children's Nativity on Christmas Eve. At 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve, we'll sing traditional carols and hear the story of Jesus' birth. Children are invited to dress in costumes and participate in the story. Come to the Reception Hall before each service if you need a costume-angel costumes for nursery and preschool ages, shepherd costumes for younger elementary and magi costumes for older elementary. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Save the Date! Our 2015 Women's Retreat at Serenbe will be Friday and Saturday, February 6-7. Registration will open in January. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826).

Fuse Basketball. Sign up now for this popular sport. It does fill up! We have a new floor and revamped guidelines to help children learn the necessary skills to become good basketball players. Ages 3K (3 by September 1, 2014) thru 5th grade are eligible to play; teams are separated by age and grade. Practice and games take place on Sunday afternoons from January 11 to February 22, skipping February 15. Visit www.mariettafumc.org for more information. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Web site, which includes the latest news about projects with photos to show our progress. There, you will also find information about how to donate or make your pledge.

This Week

Longest Night Worship will take place this Thursday, December 18 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary. This is a service of hope for those who struggle with grief or other sadness during the Christmas season. A reception will follow the service. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper returns January 7!

Church Family Supper is served in the Family Life Hall at 5:15 p.m. on Wednesdays. $6 (adults) and $4 (children from 3 to 11). $20 family cap.

Save the Date

Longest Night Worship

Thursday, December 18

Christmas Offering

Sunday, December 21 and

Christmas Eve,

Wednesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Worship Services

Wednesday, December 24