By Pastor Mark Woodward
Maple Leaf Parish of the UMC Cherry Grove, Fountain, Preston, and Spring Valley: Faith
Churches (and Lenora)
In recent days winter has really come on with deep snow, arctic winds and subzero temperatures. I think we have all been kind of spoiled over the last few winters, with little snow and balmy weather, but this winter could be different. A few days ago, as I looked out the window of my home on the Ponderosa, I could see the snow swirling around and I just didn’t feel like going outside. I sat in my chair for a moment and got inspired to do something which meant a lot to me. I decided to put up Deanna’s Christmas village on the mantle of the fireplace. I went up to the store room and carefully brought down the box packed with all the delicate houses, buildings and figurines.
I gently unwrapped the fragile contents and tenderly placed them on the mantle. I arranged them much as she had done and with caution strung the wires and plugged in the lights. The afternoon light was quickly waning and the house seemed kind of chilly, so I lit a fire in the fireplace and as the smoke curled up the chimney, I flipped the switch and turned on the lights in all the little houses, buildings and churches and soon the room began to glow … the darkness was overcome by the twinkling light in each little window as the warm fire crackled in the fireplace below. It was a holy moment. I sat in my chair for a while giving thanks and praise to God for all the many blessings in my life and for the precious memories that I would always cherish.
This is the Season of Advent and Christmas – a time of preparing for and celebrating the birth of our Savior Jesus. This is truly a time of opening our hearts to Jesus and accepting him as Savior and Lord of our lives. As I sat enjoying the warmth of the fire and the twinkling lights from Deanna’s Christmas village, I got to thinking about her favorite Christmas carol – another holy moment and I’d like to share it with you. (Maybe you have heard it before.) Rev. Charles Wesley wrote this inspiring carol in 1734 enriched with the melody of Felix Mendelssohn in 1840:
“Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King; peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!’ Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies, with angelic host proclaim, ‘Christ is born in Bethlehem’ Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; late in time behold him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb, veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate Deity, pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, risen with healing in His wings. Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth. Hark! the herald angels sing, ‘Glory to the newborn King.’” (Rev. Charles Wesley, p. 240 United Methodist Hymnal.)
As I sat by the fire and looked at the twinkling lights of the little houses on the mantle, I thought about the awesome gift of God’s love given in our Savior Jesus and that no matter how dark the world might seem, the Light of Jesus will always shine … shine … shine … shine … Jesus lives with you and me. Let’s always open our hearts to him and live our lives following the teachings and example of Jesus.
From my family to yours, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! God’s blessings always! Let’s let the Light of Jesus shine in each one of us … and please know how much you are loved!
Your friend,
Pastor Mark Woodward
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