Christmas in July

Little Moore UCC is the best UCC church in Danielsville. It's also the only UCC church in Danielsville. Today, the last Sunday in July, we're celebrating Christmas in July at Little Moore. Yesterday, when we were driving up to Little Moore for the Ice Cream Social, we saw somebody who had a Big inflated Santa out in their front yard. I guess they're doing Christmas in July, too. That's what Christmas is about-Santa! One of the memories of my childhood-back when dinosaurs walked the earth- was the Christmas special, "A Charlie Brown Christmas." 61 years ago-hard to believe it's been that long. Charlie Brown yells, 'ISN'T THERE ANYONE WHO KNOWS WHAT CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT??!!!" And Linus quietly says, "Sure Charlie Brown. I can tell you what Christmas is all about." Then Linus quietly repeats the story from Luke, Chapter 2: 'And there were, in that country, shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them, and they were very afraid. And the angel said unto them," Fear not. For behold, I bring you good news, of a great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you, You shall find the babe, wrapped in swaddling clothes, and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the Heavenly Host, saying, " Glory to God in the Highest, Peace on Earth, good will to all." And then Linus quietly says, "And that's what Christmas is all about, Charlie Brown." Watching that still brings tears to my eyes. So quiet. So simple. So powerful.

For today, let me trust more in God's Work. So quiet. So simple. So powerful.