The Gift of Christmas

I will never forget the year I participated in the youth live nativity at church. As we all stood in the frigid December weather wearing bed linens turned into ancient robes, we would reenact the Christmas story for all those passing by. I did not have the prestigious role of Joseph, but was content being one of the many magi. We would stand off to the side and wait for the star above the manger to turn on, and then slowly walk towards the stable. I was appointed to carry the gift of myrrh and to present it to the newborn child.

At the time I did not know it, but the gift I was carrying was an item used in embalming the dead. During this time, myrrh was used commonly in funerals and cremations and was an ointment that helped to preserve bodies. At first this seems like an odd gift to give a newborn child, but it takes on a deeper meaning as we look towards the cross. This gift of myrrh reminds us that Christmas and Easter are inextricably linked. Even at the manger, we are reminded that Jesus will die and overcome the powers of death through resurrection. The last two stanzas of the Christmas hymn "We Three Kings" beautifully capture this truth:

Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume

breathes a life of gathering gloom;

sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying,

sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold him arise;

King and God and sacrifice:

Alleluia, Alleluia,

sounds through the earth and skies.

This infant child who was born in Bethlehem would eventually die and be raised to life, and in doing so give us new life. I cannot think of a better Christmas gift.

Merry Christmas,

News

Youth MUST Lunch. On Friday, January 2, the youth will cook and serve lunch at MUST Ministries and then go to a movie. Meet at the church at 10:00 am and bring $10 for the movie. (Josh Sweeney, 7808)

Join us in service on Friday, January 9 at 10:00 a.m. at MUST Ministry Elizabeth Inn, located at 55 Elizabeth Church Road, Marietta 30060. MFUMC volunteers will prepare and serve lunch to the community. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Guys Night Out on Thursday, January 29 at 7:00 p.m. All men of the church are invited for an oyster roast at the home of Bill and Sarah Allred, 807 Colston Road, SW, Marietta 30064-3321. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Young Adult Sunday School class meets Sundays in Room 255 in the Discipleship Building at 10:10 a.m. (Rev. Brian Smith, ext. 7840)

2015 Women's Bible Studies. Finding Intimacy with God in the Busyness of Life; 10 weeks, beginning Wednesday, January 7, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Younger Women's Study; ongoing, beginning Thursday, January 15, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Agents of the Apocalypse; 10 weeks, beginning Thursday, January 29, 9:30-11:30 a.m. Lenten Study: Practicing Joy; 9 weeks, beginning Tuesday, February 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

A Grief Support Group offers help and healing to those experiencing loss. Our next group will begin on Monday, January 26. It will run for 6 weeks from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. in the Parlor. Registration requested. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826).

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).

2015 Habitat Build. We need volunteers for our next house! Building begins on Saturday, February 14. To volunteer, sign up at www.mariettafumc.org. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

Come share the song. The Music Ministry invites singers of all ages and skills to join the "Family Choir" on December 28 and January 4. Simple music will be rehearsed in the Choir Room (Room 261) a half-hour before each worship service. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

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

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)

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

Christmas Offering

Christmas Eve

Wednesday, December 24

Christmas Eve Worship Services

Wednesday, December 24

Church Office Closed

for Christmas Holiday

Thursday through Saturday,