journeys-page

After today we’ve got two days until Christmas. With school out on Friday, a lot of families with kids hit the road the minute those school doors opened to release the masses. Things will begin shutting down Tuesday night. Christmas Eve day will have selected stores and businesses open, some only half-day. Christmas Day only the economically challenged will be open. Nobody wants to work on Christmas Day. But, no matter what the day, the cows still have to be milked and fed. Hospitals still have to function. Law enforcement will still be out there along with firemen/women and emergency response teams and staff at the wide variety of humans and animal care facilities. The gifts as the bottom of the list should be crossed off this week. Wrapping paper and ribbon are important. We’re way past the mailing time for Christmas presents. You can still send that yearly family Christmas letter to 50 to 100 of your closest friends that you communicate with once a year, but they won’t get there ‘til after “the day.” Now, we’re basically down to the gifts and the food. And we’re praying for good weather. Now, it’s about getting everybody together at the same time and place, to give each other something, to watch the kids enjoy Christmas, to record the moment with pictures and video. It’s a day to say thanks, and to be filled up with food, family, stuff and love. Christmas is a reason to care about each other, and to show it in as many ways as possible. In my family, it is important that no one is left out. Gifts are as equal as possible. Love is fair.  Caring is universal. The same is true of the church family. God’s blanket love gift to the world pours over onto us and we throw that blanket over everyone within our reach and call it Christmas. Grace & Peace, –Kelly Karges