It's Beginning To Look Alot Like Christmas

Wow, can you believe that Christmas is just around the corner? Me either. But it's true. We can't avoid it. So let's embrace it. As soon as we finish wiping the Thanksgiving turkey juice off our cheeks, it is time to put up the Christmas lights and start braving the mall to buy some presents. But that is not what Christmas is all about is it? Of course not! And we know that. But it is easy to get trapped into the culture of Christmas and before you know it, Christmas is behind us and we have not really stopped to think about what we are really celebrating.



So before we get too far into the holiday season, let's prepare ourselves to keep the main thing the main thing this Christmas season. With that in mind, I wanted to share with you what is happening at Columbus Alliance Church during this Christmas season. I know everyone's calendars fill up rather quickly, but still, I encourage you to not let church get lost in the shuffle.



During the month of December I will be preaching from Luke, chapter 2. We know this passage well, and the Christmas message that it contains. Over the first four weeks of December we are going to be going through that passage and tying in with some very familiar Christmas hymns to look at the birth of our Savior. On December 2 we are going to look at Luke 2:1-7 and the hymns "Away in a Manger" and "O Little Town of Bethlehem" as we talk about Christ's humble beginnings. On December 9, we will move on to Luke 2:8-12 and the hymns, "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night" and "The First Noel," as we look at the birth through the eyes of some shepherds. On December 16, we will turn to Luke 2:13-14 and the hymns, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" and "Joy to the World," as we talk about the message that the angels brought. And then on December 23, just a couple of days before Christmas, we will move on to Luke 2:15-20 and the hymns, "O Come All Ye Faithful," and "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne," and address what is our response to the newborn King.



In Sunday School we are going to be looking at the Advent: A Savior for All People. We will start this series on December 2, with the topic "Be Prepared." On December 9, we will move on to "The True Spirit of Christmas." On December 16 the topic will be "A Christmas To-Do List." And then on December 23 we will discuss, "The Bad (Or Good) News About Jesus. The Sunday School classes will be taught by a variety of different families from our church and we will tie in with this Sunday School focus by having an advent wreath, select readings, and candle lighting during the worship service each week.



We also will be having a variety of special events. The women will be getting together to decorate the church on Saturday, December 1 at 10:00 a.m. If you would like to come and help you are more than welcome, and I have been told that men are welcome too.



On Sunday, December 2 at 6:00 p.m. we will be having our annual Christmas Party at the Hangar Restaraunt out at the airport. This is a great time of fellowship together. If you are interested in attending, please call the church office at 379-9190.



On Saturday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. we will be having a Christmas Party for Jesus. This is a fun event that is geared toward families. The kids will have a variety of different birthday like activities to participate in and then we will finish with a special cake and presentation.



On Sunday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. we will be having our Youth Christmas party. The place has not yet been determined, but all youth will be invited to this fun celebration.



On Wednesday, December 12 the ladies will be getting together for a special Christmas Tea. If you would like more information about that, please call the church office.



And then on Monday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. we will have a Christmas Eve Service here at the Church with Scripture reading, carols, and a good time of refocusing for Christmas morning.



So, that is our Christmas schedule. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the church office at 379-9190.