Before over a 100 spectators, members of the Lakefront Church performed a quiet rendition of the Christmas Story. Dressed as angels, and in Mideastern costumes, individual actors portrayed a segment of Jesus Christ's life. The story was inspiring. Santa Clause visited the children after the play, while adults fellowship-ed in a meal in the dining hall.
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Tonight, as I write this, the meaning of Christmas fills my being. I did not find it amid the blaring horns or flashing lights. I did not find it in the candies that were thrown along the parade route. The 100's of people that lined the streets did not hold the key to the spirit of Christmas. The songs themselves did not offer me that spirit. This night, the spirit came from the face of this child.
In a world that has made merchandise of one of the most sacred holidays, I have found myself denouncing Christmas. In many ways I have taken on the spirit of Old Man Scrooge. Not this night, not the night of Dec. 2nd 2017. It will be marked in my memory as the night Christ reminded me that Christmas is alive and has always been so, and will forever be so. As I write this, the sound of Casting Crowns-I heard the Bells on Christmas Day ring from my computer. The memory of our Choir singing it, floats from the sanctuary and down the hallway and through my office. I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And mild and sweet their songs repeat Of peace on earth good will to men And the bells are ringing (peace on earth) Like a choir they're singing (peace on earth) In my heart I hear them (peace on earth) Peace on earth, good will to men And in despair I bowed my head There is no peace on earth I said For hate is strong and mocks the song Of peace on earth, good will to men But the bells are ringing (peace on earth) Like a choir singing (peace on earth) Does anybody hear them? (peace on earth) Peace on earth, good will to men Then rang the bells more loud and deep God is not dead, nor does he sleep (peace on earth, peace on earth) The wrong shall fail, the right prevail With peace… As I look at this picture of this innocent child sitting in this train cart ready for the parade, I see an eagerness in her eyes, a purity that can only be captured by the eye to the heart. I see a readiness that embraces the holiday, because she still fully understands the season. Sitting amidst this cart of tangled decorations and lights, it only reminds me how Christ, so perfect and innocent was placed in that imperfect manger years ago in a world that would spend its entirety in trying to hunt and kill Him. Kill Him so that I may have a chance to live....a chance at eternal life. Take time to rejoice, from the eyes of this child, from an innocence that we once had and lost; Heaven is singing...let there be peace on earth and goodwill toward men. Christmas is alive....it was alive yesterday day, its alive today, and it will be alive forever more. After much hard work, the train has been decorated for the 2017 Christmas Parade. The final lights will be strung on it tomorrow prior to taking it to town. The train will carry members of the Lakefront Church of God children's Sunday School Classes through the parade on Saturday evening. Come out and support our children.
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AuthorMy name is Jeff Tackett. I work at the office here at Lakefront Church of God. I handle technology and other office administrative duties. Archives
October 2019
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