DECEMBER 2021 EDITION
THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH
THESENIORPOINT THE WOODLANDS METHODIST CHURCH
A MESSAGE FROM
LEE BREWER PASTOR TO SENIOR ADULTS
It was in the fourth century that the Church began officially celebrating the birth of Christ. The Feast of the Nativity was being celebrated in England in the sixth century. It wasn’t until the 12th century that the term “Christmas” was used. Christ’s mass, or a church service honoring the birth of Christ, became Christmas. December 25 was decided upon as the date for the celebration by the determination of one of the early Popes, and not because of any real knowledge of the date. At that point December 25 in the western Church became a “Holy Day,” a day set apart, when all other areas of life were to be put aside to focus on God and our own desire to be holy in the eyes of the Lord as we focused on the birth of our Christ. Over the centuries there have been many cultural traditions that have been added to what we think of as Christmas. Trees, decorations, candles, parties, food and presents are some of the wonderful things we think
about, and worry about, in the Christmas season. The family traditions, the church music, services and events, consume our thoughts, our days and plans. It is such a busy time as people prepare, travel and make purchases and arrangements. What was once a day focused on a church service has become a “Christmas season” where going to a church service is an addendum to the more important things on our schedules. A day that was focused on honoring Christ in church and in our thoughts so easily loses that focus to all the traditions that have grown up around what is now a holiday, and no longer a Holy Day. Luke 2:7 tells us: “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.” May we remember to make room for Christ in our own Christmas: the greatest gift that anyone has ever been given. Bring the holy back into the holiday. O come, let us adore HIM!
Lee
ALL SAINTS’ REMEMBRANCE On All Saints’ Sunday, the church set aside time to remember those we loved dearly and have gone before us. We allow the memory of their faith to spur us on to a deeper worship of God and a greater faith and love in the Lord Jesus Christ. A service was held on November 7 at Grace Garden for the families that lost a loved one this year.
Merry Christmas from Senior Adult Ministry!