Healing and Hope is Born! 

There is a song we sang in high school chorus for Christmas with the line, "Memories fill my mind, as Christmas comes each year. Dreaming for today, brings yesterday so near." 

• Hearing stories about how my dad stayed up all night to assemble a play kitchen for his four little girls 
• My three sisters and I receiving West Family action figures and the corral (Anyone remember?) 
• Lying in bed with my sister listening to crackly Christmas music on the radio and whispering with anticipation of morning
• Grandpa Moser dying on December 23
• Being in Florida with my Weinberger grandparents over Christmas
• Lying on the floor beside my 5 month old infant on Christmas eve as she vomited throughout night
• Hearing our daughters giggle and scurry around as they opened the stockings which were hung outside their bedroom doors 
• Waiting with anticipation for those little girls to come bursting into our bedroom 

Whether my memories of Christmas are positive or negative,and I've had some of both and know some of you have had really difficult life journeys, the truth of Christmas remains the same: Healing and Hope for a hurting and discordant world was born that day in the City of David.

My desire and  prayer for you this Christmas and coming year is that you will experience our loving and gracious God in your life as revealed through Jesus, God in the flesh, finding hope and healing in your own life to then share with others. 

This week Brother Mick's message is called, "When Hope is Present," and he states, "In the midst of our messy, complicated, troublesome, pain-filled lives, we must decide whether we will embrace the hope walking there beside us or the fear waiting to pull us back, down, away from God." The sermon text is Matthew 1:18-25 and supporting passages Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19.  Please join us for this last advent message before our Sunday Christmas celebration on December 29!

Service of Remembrance and Hope is tonight 7 PM at Ridgeview. This is an opportunity to share our grief, loneliness, and challenges that come with this season. Although I'm unable to attend this year, in the past I have found this to be a very meaningful service.

Christmas Eve service is at 7 PM.

I look forward to conversation and "catch up" with you!

Prayer for today: Lord God, as we experience shifts and changes in our lives, help us to recognize the constancy of your love.  As we experience the storms and clouds of life, bless us with the light that is you. As we face doubts and indecision, guide us with your Spirit and keep us from fear.  As we recognize your presence in all aspects of our lives, help us to respond in humbleness and joy. Hope! Hope! Hope!  Lord, fill us with your healing and hope that your mercy and grace will overflow, and the Good News that is You will sate a hungry world today. Come Kingdom of God. Be done will of God, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus name. AMEN.

Without question or doubt, you are loved by God, and I love you too!

Love and Light,
Carol

http://www.ridgeviewmennonite.net/

"Always remember who you are, whose you are, where you are going, and what you believe, because it does make a difference! Oh, and don't forget to attend a church of your choice this weekend." jd