Barbara Walton
December 8, 2011
The Christmas Season is in full swing in the Little Village of Spearsville with our trees up, red and green decorations everywhere, and Christmas cards from our friends are arriving daily to brighten our lives. This is a wonderful season – not just for the children, but for us older folks as well; I love it for its beauty and because God loved us enough to send Jesus, his beloved Son, to teach us how to live and to love others as He loved us.
The Ruth Sunday School Class of Spearsville Baptist Church celebrated its annual Christmas party last Friday night. Mary Gene Rhodes was a real trooper and helped me with the table decorations, in preparation for the party. The meal was catered by Mary Grant and it was delicious. Patsy Saunders and Oda Rockett directed a game for the gift exchange of the Christmas story of left and right. It was so much fun playing and then seeing what each person found dollar – that was amazing; for you see, the goal was to donate our real gift money to the Lottie Moon Offering rather than spend it on ourselves. Frankie Futch brought the devotional from Micah that reminded us of what God really requires of us: “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with they God” – that says it all!! After the devotional, we were entertained with beautiful and meaningful music by Jennifer Lenard and Carolyn Ivey. Bro. James dismissed us with a benediction that reminded us of the true meaning of Christmas with thanksgiving for God’s blessings in our daily lives.
On Sunday morning, our children sang “Away in a Manager” and “Rudolph, the Red Nose Reindeer”” under the direction of Avery Bennett Wilson. Our little Gabrielle Harrison directed the choir from her dad’s arms. She has a blast as she waved her arms just like her grandmother, Jennifer. It’s hard for us to keep our eyes off of her and focus on what we should be listening to. Thankfully, God understands, for Jesus said, “A little child should lead them”. Bro. James brought the Children’s Sermon on the story of Baby Jesus was wrapped in before he was placed in the manager by Mary and Joseph.
It is always an inspiration to us to see Maurene Barron, who will be 99 on Monday, December 19th, in church even on a cold day that would keep some of us at home. We wish her a most “Happy Birthday” as she celebrates at home with her family. She is a very gracious Southern Lady and exudes the very essence of Christianity wherever she goes.
Johnny and Lexie Rhodes visited us during our worship service. When I dropped by to welcome them, I asked Lexie if she had her stocking hung for Ole’ St. Nick. With the bright eyes of a five year old she answered “yes”; to the question of what she wanted him to bring, she, gleefully, responded, “a shotgun”. That leads me to believe that we will be seeing her picture in The Banner in the spot with pictures of hunters and their 8 or 10 point deer in a very short time.
My dining table is beginning to come back into view as wind chimes have been decorated, assembled and delivered to extremely happy people who wanted them in time for Christmas gifts. They are just beautiful and two people have placed additional orders — It’s incredible that such a little hoppy is providing so much fun for Bobby, and for the people who receive them. This is another on of God’s blessings that just happened; He takes care of us, even little needs in each of our lives.
Thought for the Day
“I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.” -Helen Keller-
Shiloh to Canaan 