Geico has given us some funny commercials selling it's insurance such as
the caveman, the squirrels and one of my favorites, the came/ on Wednesday. (Can you say "Humpday?") Recently they ran an ad of a grandpa asleep in an easy chair. He's not snoring but the air flowing thru his nostrils is playing the "Flight of the Bumblebee," and no one seems to be amazed by this at all. The wife is busy knitting, the daughter has heard it all before, and the son in law is fixed on the fact that Geico has saved him money. Only the grandson seems to be awed. We watch him push grandpa's nostril and it changes channels to a saxophone playing jazz. The child is thrilled! The camera pans out showing the rest of the family. Mom just keeps knitting, the daughter taps her finger to the music and the son in /aw keeps looking at his laptop. To the rest of the family this evidently was so ordinary, nothing new, something they had heard before. To the child, this was incredible. I sometimes get the sense that the Christmas story is like that. We have heard the story so many times that we just start nodding our heads and get a "ho-hum" sense about it all. Even as pastors, many ask, "How many Christmas messages can we preach about the wise men, the shepherds, the angels, Mary or the prophecies about Jesus?" Maybe it's time to take a fresh look at the Christmas story. How about looking at the characters in a different fight? Take a look at the obedience of Joseph, the announcement to the shepherds, the diligent searching of the magi, or the faithful attendance of Simeon and Anna awaiting the arrival of the Messiah. Fight the "ho-hum" attitude. Read the story again, like it was the first time! ft never ceases to amaze!
December Challenge
1. Which Old Testament prophet had the most to say about the birth of Christ?
2. Can you list 5 names of Jesus found in the Bible? Some on my list are from Old Testament prophecies.
3. What did Adam say the day before Christmas?
4. What Christmas Carol is a favorite of parents?
5. When the shepherds went looking for Jesus, what was the sign they were to look for?
6. Two of the four Gospels do not mention the birth of Christ. Which
7. Why did the Christmas cookie go to the doctor?
8. How do sheep say Merry Christmas in Mexico?
9. What kind of Christmas cookie:
a) laughing while drawing absentmindedly
b) Don't leave this at a crime scene
c) Piled, mowed & cured grass for cows
Focus on Prayer
by Dan Maraugha
We are about to enter into the season of Christmas. A time to remember those we love in special ways.
Christmas is a great time to remember the one who loves us most. Not only His love for us, but His greatest gift of love, His Son, our Lord and Savior.
Let us remember His love and blessings by also being thankful as we pray. "Devote yourself to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart."
Colossians 4:2
Take time to read: Psalm 136:1-3, 28
Mark Your Calendar
12·1 Seniors Christmas Party - 6pm
12·7 Men's Bible & Breakfast - 8am
12·11 525th Christmas Party - 6:30pm
12·14 Ladies Christmas Bunch - 10am
12·15 Children's Christmas Musical - l0am
12·18 Growing Tree Preschool Program 6:30pm **No Wednesday night programs**
12·20 Youth Christmas Party - 6pm
12·22 PR's Sunday School Breakfast - 7am
12·24 Christmas Eve Service - 7pm
12·25 Merry Christmas! (No services)
12·28-12/31 Follow 2019