MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Hurray!  We made it!  Christmas came, and now there's only 11 days left.  So time goes on.

It was so great to talk to many of you yesterday; for those spoken to, it was a wonderful holiday ... for those reading this, it still is a wonderful holiday.

Well, the services came off without a hitch - there was something special to each of them (they've all been posted on the church website, it case you want a little more detail).

Christmas Eve - the interactive service - began at the door as people were entering.  The theme was "Who's Outside?  Who's Inside?"  Since there was a census being taken in Bethlehem, everyone had to register to "get inside".  There were a few "regular members" a bit perturbed with the process, but they still took it in stride and "played along."  Once they heard the reasoning behind the "registration" and how it fit in the service, perhaps some were a bit embarrassed for acting they way they did.  Or not.

the Advent path made it to the manger ...

and the babe was "swaddled in the cloth"

not very clear ... but there were very few lights on!

and the cast of characters kept coming!

it's a Karina shepherdess

 animals, shepherds, Marys and Josephs - seated;

angels arriving

and wise men, too!  There was no room at the inn when this was done!

I tried to leave  bit of the "banter" in the sermon tape, so you could catch some of the noise in the sanctuary;  I cut the singing parts, cuz you only hear me - (the mike is clipped to my person).  People went home, I think - inspired, enthused, and with rejoicing!  Had a church full (100+) and church packed (150+) at the two services;  had candlelight (glow sticks for kids) as well.  And each service was over in less than an hour!  I would have never been able to guess what the time would be -but both were about the same (the 2nd service had bells and voice choir - so the music portions were a bit longer.)

The came Christmas Day.  We began the service with 20 minutes of caroling;  I had asked Bev (organist) to put together a medley of her choosing - and wow what a medley!  There were solos, violin, guitar, keyboard, bells, congregational singing, descants, and more!  I had goosebumps!  It was that grand!

Then came the "Fanfare for Christmas Day" - "Gloria"

though it only last 30 seconds, it takes a lot out of a choir!  It's on the website as well.

Then a Baptism - how cool is that!  (Little Brian even was brought in in the Christmas Eve service when Mary "was delivered".  The kids who were playing Mary were pretty much awed with that one.)

Then my annual "Luke 2" recitation - I think its 35 years that I've done it for memory - I can't remember if I did it the first two years in Spencer, SD.  I know I did it every year in Rapid City and Roseburg, and now Portland.  (Even had a couple from Rapid City in worship C.E. - but not from Peace (they attend Bethlehem on the east side of RC - where my good friend Al + Jacobson was).

One last piece. We joined a wine club to see what it was all about, and take a look at our first order!

that makes me feel at home!

That's about it from the left coast.  May the Savior be born in your hearts once again, bringing hope, peace and assurance for a blessed new year.  

We love you.

Karina and Dan