I first printed this article a few years ago. Except for the number of grandchildren, not one thing has changed.

CHRISTMAS LIST

Some of us (of a certain age, I suppose) ponder Christmases Past during these days. Warm memories Sam's Picture

abound for some of us and we reflect on them during the days around
Christmas. I remember my Grandmother Ruff, a delightful lady and the one to whose home (on County Line Road, off Mars Hill) we went for Thanksgiving and especially for Christmas Day. I had twenty-four first cousins on that side of the family so the gatherings were large!

We lived near MaMa Ruff and I remember asking her every year, as children do, what she wanted for Christmas. Her answer, strange as it was, was always the same. "All I want, Sammy," she said every year, "is for all of us to be healthy and for all of us to be together."

My goodness! In a world of new bicycles, footballs, baseball gloves, roller skates, and pocket knives, my Grandmother completely passed and lost a great opportunity. I often considered her complete misunderstanding of Christmas but finally figured, as I remember, that she was simply too old to change. Some people just never learn...

My grandmother grew up in an agrarian culture. She lost a brother in a fire and a sister died a few days before Christmas. There were accidents on the farm, often occurring when whatever doctors there might have been were simply too far away to help (referring to farm accidents like that, poet James Dickey called that culture as "the land of nine-fingered people"). She lived through the Great Depression and two world wars. And when her
grandson asked what she wanted for Christmas, she answered from somewhere deep within her memory bank and deep within her heart. She wished for things that had never been.

And now, I have become my grandmother. Oh, we decorate and plan and shop and hide. I have five grandchildren, for goodness sakes. But my own Christmas list has grown shorter every year. I have all the new bicycles, footballs, baseball gloves, roller skates, and pocket knives I'll ever need. I'll never need another watch or ring. But two items remain on my list. I want my family members to be healthy. And I want us all to be together.

Merry Christmas, from my house to yours.

News

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. We have angel costumes for nursery and preschool ages, shepherd costumes for younger elementary and magi costumes for older elementary. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

Worship with us on Christmas Eve, Thursday,
December 24 at our Candlelight Communion Worship Services at 4 p.m., 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. Childcare will be offered on the nursery hall for infants through 5 years at both the 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. services.

The senior adults are invited to the home of Lyle and Ginny Maude Schaefer on Tuesday, December 22 from
1-3 p.m. for a Christmas Open House. Please RSVP to
Rev. Lori Ethridge at ext. 7835 for church transportation or to Ginny Maude Schaefer at 770-427-4051.

Remember MFUMC in your year-end giving. You may place your donation in the offering plate, contribute online at www.mariettafumc.org or deliver your gift to the Finance Office. Please be sure to indicate how we may direct your gift: the Christmas Offering, the Operating Budget, Restore to Glory! or the MFUMC Foundation. If you have questions about your gifts to date, please contact Karen Lind at karenlind@mariettafumc.org or ext. 7807. (Becky Sawyer, ext. 7824)

Registration is now open for Fuse Basketball for ages 3K through 5th grade. Click here for more information. (Kelly Duncan, ext. 7812)

We invite you to serve with our Parking Ministry on Sunday mornings in half-hour and one-hour shifts from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help members who have difficulty walking getting to and from worship and Sunday School. Training is provided. (Forrest Cate, ext. 7806)

2016 Women's Retreat registration is open. Join us Feb. 5-6, 2016 at Serenbe. Pick up a brochure or click here to dowload a form. (Rev. Elaine Wilder, ext. 7826)

The Hospitality Ministry is looking for friendly, creative and energetic volunteers to help greet on Sundays, provide special event setup and décor and be helpers at Church Family Supper on Wednesdays. (Beth Dawson, ext. 7829)

Restore to Glory!

Want more information about Restore To Glory! and its progress? Visit its Website, 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 be this Thursday, December 17 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Through word and song, we will remember that Christ shines light into the darkness of our lives. This beautiful service offers a quiet respite amidst the holiday rush. A dessert reception will follow.

Amahl and the Night Visitors by Gian-Carlo Menotti will be presented by the Jubilation Drama Ministry this Friday and Saturday, December 18 and 19. This fully staged musical with orchestra follows the Three Kings on their journey to the Christ child and their encounter with Amahl and his mother. Tickets (Seniors $18/Adults $22) are available through the Church Office. (Bryan Black, ext. 7815)

Our annual Christmas offering is an opportunity to support First United Methodist Church of Marietta's local and global mission work. You may make your donation when the offering is received during worship services this Sunday, December 20 and Christmas Eve.

Power 45 for 4th and 5th graders is this Sunday, December 20, 4-6:30 p.m. Meet in the Family Life Hall to walk to the Square for ice skating, dinner and dessert. Cost is $20/person. Bring friends! RSVP to

kellyduncan@mariettafumc.org.

College and High School upperclassmen are

encouraged to attend an informational meeting about our mission trip to Chimbote, Peru May 31-June 8, 2016. The meeting is this Sunday, December 20 at 12:30 p.m. in the Reception Hall. Lunch will be provided. (Josh Sweeney, ext. 7808)

The College Student Christmas Party is tomorrow! Join us Monday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Atkinson's home for dinner and fun. All are welcome. Contact Rev. Elaine Wilder (ext. 7826) for address and information.

Signup for the Mid-High Discovery Weekend Retreat

online now! The retreat is February 5-7 and early bird registration ends Monday, December 21. Click here to register. (Jessica Ferguson, ext. 7822)

Connect Through Table Fellowship

Church Family Supper
returns in January.

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

Wednesday, December 16

Senior Adult Ministry Catered Luncheon

Thursday, December 17

Longest Night Service

December 18 and 19

Amahl and the Night Visitors