Christmas Party

I can't believe Christmas is only a few days away! It seems to get here faster and faster every year. On Friday night we had our annual Wesley Woods Christmas party. It was a great night of fun and fellowship! Even though the weather was not very good and kept a few people from coming, we had a very large group. We had many summer staff, full time staff, volunteers, and neighbors. We started the night off with a great meal and then sang some Christmas songs and read the Christmas story. Late in the evening, summer staff had their classic time of worship together, followed by games and conversation late into the next morning. I love reunion weekends because it's family coming home--we have such a large, amazing Wesley Woods family. Things seem pretty empty here in the off season, especially during winter, so it was great to have this place filled with people again!

During this time of year, I think it is so easy to become caught up in all the busyness of the holiday with shopping, cleaning, traveling, and so many other things, that I forget to stop and really think about what Christmas means. I've grown up knowing the Christmas story and acting it out in Sunday school programs year after year, but I always fail to think about just how miraculous this event really was. I am just in awe when I really think about it, or try to place myself in the shoes of any one of those individuals who were there on the first Christmas. God sending His son to dwell among us--how awesome is that! Can you imagine being there firsthand to experience it? Just the thought of God sending Jesus to us is amazing in itself, but then to think about what His life really meant and how we were saved through Him is even more mind boggling!

I encourage you this week, as you go through all the hustle and bustle of the holiday, to take some time to just be still and really ponder what Christmas means. Don't just be satisfied with knowing the facts of Christmas, but really let yourself be in awe of what it means. Let yourself be filled with wonder and amazement and pour your heart out in thanksgiving to God for His miraculous work.

May God bless you and fill you with His spirit so that it is overflowing to everyone around you!


Theresa Holzhauser, Program Assistant