DECEMBER 2020 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS UMC
POINT LIVING OUT CHRISTMAS A Message From Lee Brewer, Pastor to Senior Adults “Behold, a virgin shall be with child and shall bring forth a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel” (which being interpreted is, “God with us”). — Matthew 1:23 A long time ago, an old cobbler had a dream on Christmas Eve. The Lord appeared to him and said, “I am coming to visit you tomorrow, so look for me when I pass and I will come to be with you.” Immediately the old man awakened and began to prepare for Jesus’ visit. He gathered extra wood to make the Lord a warm fire. He brought out his finest pair of shoes as a gift. He placed the best of his simple food on the table for the Lord to eat. Then he waited at the window for the Lord to come. It was a harsh, cold winters day that the cobbler looked out on. Soon, an old street sweeper came by, shivering in the cold as he tried to sweep the blowing snow from the road. The cobbler took pity and called him in and placed the extra wood on the fire to get him warm. The old man thanked him again and again for the respite and the warmth as he went back into the cold to do his task. Later, a poor boy came limping past the cobbler’s window. The boy’s feet were wrapped only in rags. The cobbler brought him in and placed the fine leather shoes on his feet. They were a perfect fit, and the boy was no longer limping when he left. As the sun was setting, a young woman with a baby huddled in her arms struggled against the wind and snow that blustered down the road. The cobbler looked at the table set for Jesus, and thought of how he had already given away the wood and the shoes meant for the Lord. But seeing her need there was nothing he could do but respond. He called her in and fed her and her child the meal he had prepared. Her face was no longer drawn, and she was no longer shivering as she thanked him and returned to her journey. When the night came, the cobbler sadly knelt to pray. “Lord, I know why you did not come. I gave away what was meant for you. Please forgive me.” Then the voice of Jesus came saying: “Oh my child. I did come. I came as an old man needing warmth, as a boy needing shoes, and a mother and child who were hungry. For when you have done it for the least of these my children, you have done it unto me.” When Christ was born he came as Emmanuel, God with us, to show us in person the love and care of our God. The story of Christmas is God Incarnate; God made flesh. It is wonderful to enjoy the season and celebration of Christmas: the time of gifts, family, gatherings and merry festivity. Yet, we need to also follow the example of Christmas and see how we can also be the hands and feet of Christ in service to others. We can be the means of God being present in someone else’s life. Don’t forget our special opportunities for worship and service this December: Creative Christmas at the Loft: Friday, December 4 Lessons and Carols in the Sanctuary: Sunday, December 6 Night of Carols on the plaza/fairway: Sunday, December 13 Let it Snow family event at Woodforest campus: Friday, December 18 Christmas Without Them: Sunday, December 20 Children’s Live Museum/Live Nativity/Walk Through Bethlehem in Wesley Plaza: Tuesday, December 22 Our multiple Christmas Eve services: December 23 and 24 Praying that we live out Christmas even as we celebrate it, Lee
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM SENIOR ADULT MINISTRY!