With

Last night's Christmas Eve service was beautiful. My mom sang, which is something I always anticipate and always love. My sister played the flute, which is so lovely to listen to. The boys hopped up and down off the pew, colored on my bulletin and crawled all over me playing with my scarf, jewelry, and whatever their candy-cane-sticky-fingers could touch. That is something I look forward to year round.
That was the second time I had heard the new pastor, Dave, preach. It is apparent why he has his doctorate from Harvard Divinity. He is an incredible writer and a powerful speaker and he has the rare talent of preaching without being preachy. Every time I've heard him speak, I end up spending the next few days pondering over the message.
Yesterday's message was about the word "with". God be "with" you. Not against you. When you are afraid, we are "with" you. You are not alone.

So this Christmas I would like to say to all of my readers, Peace be "with" you.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

*sunday morning's sermon was about Redemption and in the middle of the sermon, Dave asked where else we hear/see the word "redeem" or "redemption". He brought up redeeming a coupon at the grocery store. Or the place you take your old soda cans to be recycled and how that's referred to as a 'redemption center'. He said he thinks that is what church should be called, a 'redemption center'. Then he got a big grin on his face and yelled "So get your cans in here!" This man is brilliant... :)