10 Days 'til Christmas

Have I Mentioned that I love Christmas. I always have. From the lights to the silly, romantic, predictable Christmas movies. I love Christmas trees, Christmas villages, and especially Nativity Scenes (I have about 50). This is my third Christmas here on the Mission. The first was 10 years ago. I remember carolling on the Rez, and handing out treat bags - an orange, some nuts and some candy. Keshmish Hozoh! This is our second Christmas since the LORD called us back to ministry here. There are treat bags under the Christmas Tree in the fellowship hall. We decorated the tree in Children's Church last week, with a lesson on the Truth each ornament symbolizes. 20 of my 50 Nativities are hanging on that lovely tree - and a candy cane and crocheted cross for every member of our little congregation. The fellowship hall looks so beautiful. The hard work done by the team from Michigan makes such a difference. It's still a little chilly, but not fridgid or damp like last year. I have part of my Christmas village set up in there. And I have the rest of it set up in the restroom. We have lights up in the courtyard and so far, no one has bothered the large plastic nativity scene in the front.
So far this Christmas season 10 of us were in the Farmington Christmas Parade, handing out 1000 candy treats attatched to invitations to our Christmas Vacation Bible School, we've delivered two Christmas boxes to families on the Rez. through Angel Tree Ministries (and have 4 more ready to go next week). We sponsered a Christmas Luncheon for people with whom we partner with in Ministry - 7 plus the "family" were there. 16 voices singing "Joy to the World" in English and Navajo.
Yep, I love Christmas. But there is a saddness that seems to accompany this joyous season. In all this beauty and majesty, a heaviness. Did Mary know? Even though the LIGHT is shining in the darkness, and the PEACE that passes all understanding is in fact ours when we accept it, storms rage all around us. Christmas stories don't always have sappy sweet endings. I have a new grand-daughter that is due to arrive anyday now. But the daughter-in-law of one of our women just miscarried. One of the missionionaries our conference supports died in a car wreck in Africa, leaving behind a wife and three young daughters. There was an accident in Shiprock last week that left one of the students in my school critically injured and fatherless. How sad Christmas will be for them. Wars and rumors of war. Does anyone remember Simon and Garfunkle's version of Silent Night and the 7 o'clock news? Yes, Jesus came - silently and humbly to the world He created, to and for the people He loves. Yes, He is here, in our midst, where two or more gather together, with a promise to never leave or forsake us. And Yes, He is coming again in glory. Yes, I love Christmas - with the colored lights that remind me that God keeps His promises. With the smiles of wonder on the faces of the little ones who haven't figured out yet that this is a dark and depraved world. And how I pray for the little ones who have to face tragidy this year instead of joy. Lord have mercy. And Lord, help me to share Your Light and your Truth with the people who pass by, with the people I touch throughout the day, with the people you send our way. That there is Joy and everlasting love, Peace in every storm, there is God - Father,Son,Holy Spirit - And God is Good!