I hope everyone had a Blessed Christmas Day! For some, it will have rated a “near 10!” For others, for many reasons, not so Merry and maybe exhausting. It seems good when Christmas falls on a day in which the NEXT day falls on a weekend (!) or on a day of “rest” or a vacation really begins! At least the hope for many is a day a lot quieter with less volume and perhaps less time in the kitchen~

Nevertheless, the Christmas “spirit,” the Christmas Faith continues and never “let’s up.” It continues and is emphasized in a number of ways:
1) Some will celebrate the Twelve Days of Christmas followed by Epiphany on January 6.
2) Some will continue visitation, letter writing, and card sending.
3) Some will be renewed and determined to “increase in wisdom and (spiritually) in stature.” In other words…..keep growing in the faith.

Our texts for this Sunday are about growing. Of course, part of growth requires “rest” so hopefully you will find some rest before many of your routines return. Well-deserved rest, perhaps, for parents and church leaders! Still, even as we rest, we grow.

See you this Sunday as we hear about the growth of young Samuel, Jesus around age 12, and the congregation at Colossae.

Merry Ongoing Christmas!

Pastor Barry