From the Pastor's Desk

  "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.  The little Lord Jesus lay down his sweet head.  The stars in the sky looked down where he lay.  The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay."

This is probably one of the first Christmas carols we learn when we are children.  And the message of Jesus' birth is so simple.  Each year, we bring out the nativity set from storage and arrange it in a special place in our homes and in our churches.  It usually consists of a wooden stable and figurines of the Holy Family, an angel, shepherds, wise men and animals.  Two years ago I had the opportunity to visit Bethlehem and was quite surprised by the location (the accepted location) of Jesus' birth.  Tradition says that Jesus' birth place was in a cave over which the Basilica of the Nativity was built in Bethlehem.  This picture shows the place and with the ornate mosaics and candles, it seems far from the simple setting of the birth story we read in Scripture.  Generations of Christians travel to the holy city of Bethlehem to visit this honored and sacred space.

As I stood wth many others at this place enveloped in the emotion of silent worship I was deeply moved by the meaning and purpose of Jesus' birth - how my life was so blessed because of God's gift to us all.  I pray this season of Advent prepares you and your loved ones for the journey to Bethlehem where we will all gather and celebrate the greatest gift ever given!                       

                      God bless each of you during this Holy Season!

        Pastor Pam

May 2012 be a year filled with peace, love, joy and hope for you and your family!