“Do not be afraid; for see I am bringing you good news of great joy for all people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”Luke 2: 10-11

We come to the month of December that brings us to the wonders of the Advent-Christmas season. There are memories of past Christmases from our childhood to the particular chapter of life that we presently live in. Perhaps there is a longing to earlier Christmas seasons when we were small and the cares of the world were not so much a part of our lives. Each of us can look back and remember people that we have loved and shared the beauty of the season with who are no longer with us and that brings us a feeling of sadness as we open our book of memories. We also may remember the time when our children were children and the glee that they expressed at Christmas time. Now these children have children of their own and they have acquired memories of Christmas spent with their little ones. It is a great time of life for them. That chapter of my life and perhaps yours is closed and we are in another stage of life.

Our observance of Christmas changes as our families and loved ones change with the passage of time. Thank God for memories. Memories can also be hurtful. Some of you are experiencing your first Christmas following the loss of a loves one through death, divorce or separation. Your Christmas may not be the same and you can’t wait for the holidays to pass as you experience pain that is both mental and physical. Some of us experience Christmas with an illness that has robbed us of our health and mobility and we long for the time when we were healthy and life was good.

The above scripture selection that each of us are very familiar with reminds us not to be afraid because God has brought a great joy to us because of the birth of the Savior of humankind. We find the following assurances in our Christmas hymns:

O come to us, abide with us, our Lord Emmanuel.”
V.4 “O Little Town of Bethlehem”

Life is like a problem in Math which never comes out even; always there’s a remainder left over as the days of our lives are divided up. That remainder– that fraction– is the plus in life. In our orderly minds, the plus in life is both a challenge and a frustration. There are things that happen to us in our lives that never quite fit into the scheme we’ve arranged.

Jesus said that life is more than meat, and the body more than clothing. In other words there is a plus in living. But what is it? The first thing that can be said about the plus in life is this: whatever life is beyond the business of eating, drinking and clothing it is not merely more of the same. It is better than food, clothing and drinking. One of the big problems in the personal lives of hundreds upon hundreds of people is the fact that they seek the plus in more of the same things. The second thing that can be said about the plus in life is based on an observation of the life of the individual who has suggested to us that life is more that food and clothing. Jesus, too, is like a problem in division which never comes out even; always, as we look at him, we discover a remainder that’s left over. Take for example, his standards, and immediately you’re confronted with a staggering plus. Because his standards are so high, some would call them impossible ideals and thereby seek to avoid them. When we do that we miss the plus in life. These pluses are found in the ethical and spiritual dimensions of our lives. These dimensions bring a control over our basic animal tendencies for pleasure.

The third thing that can be said about the plus in life is that because it is difficult we tend to take the easier paths of life not knowing that we have only experienced life on a very plain or simple level. What we need to hear again and again, and that is why Jesus war born into the world at the first Christmas, is the hearing of the persistent call of the Gospel– “friend, come up higher.”

To find the plus in life we always find ourselves looking to Christ, and those who– in the history of humanity– have been of his spirit. Those who have found life’s plus not in what they can give to themselves, but in what they give themselves to. Jesus calls us out of the darkness of our self-centered way of life into his marvelous light.

It is good that Christmas 2005 is here and not a bit too soon! We need harmony to replace the discord of our lives. But what is the meaning of Christmas? Singing carols and opening gifts are of themselves much fun. It’s great to decorate a tree and have a family reunion. These things are splendid, and we all love them. Our test this evening, however,

suggests that the meaning of Christmas is found in the context of sin. In the season of light-hearted carols and candy canes it seems strangely inappropriate to dwell upon sin. Yet our text seems so uncompromising at this point. But the truth persists, that God sent Christ into the world to solve your problems, because you’re it. Put that way, it comes a bit abrasive doesn’t it? But Christmas is saying that God comes to us in the flesh and blood of Jesus Christ, entering into this messy arena of life, that he might “save His people from their sin.”

Let’s be honest about it. Unless we are willing to see ourselves as sinners, we have no need for a Savior. This makes Christmas a farce rather than a force. We need to be reminded that the Christian hope is not in a manger, but a cross! It’s not in a child but in a risen and reigning Lord. It’s not just that Christ once came, but that He desires to come NOW into each of our lives.

My friends, I ask you this question on Christmas eve. Is it better to believe that Christ has not come, like our Jewish brothers and sisters, and act like it, or to believe He has come and do nothing about it, like the Gentiles? May we not render the verdict of Bethlehem, when there was “no room in the inn.” Rather, in the words of the hymn, “let every heart prepare him room.”

Dec. 24^th 10:00 p.m.- “The Grandest Night of All The Years” St. Luke 2: 1-14

There are many great nights mentioned in the Bible. Some of them are laden with tragedy and others are bright with hope. But it was the greatest and grandest night of all the years when the night Jesus was born. He was born to be our Savior, born to die for our sins, born to save us, born that we might be reborn, born to take us home to heaven someday. Because God had a plan or a program he sent Jesus in the fulness of time. God is always on time. He sent His Son when it was the best time for Him to come. The world was clothed in darkness– the creature was worshiped instead of the Creator, and there was no hope shining in the hearts of people. IT WAS TIME FOR JESUS TO COME, thank God He did come. The long night of waiting is over and Christ the Savior is born.

Christmas has not true meaning except to those who see Christ in it. All the Christmas carols, all the brightly lighted Christmas trees, all the sweet greetings of friends and loved ones, all the feasting, all these are empty forms unless you know Christ as your Savior. My friend, have you found Jesus? You can find Him tonight not as a babe in a manger, but as a living Savior. You can find Him by faith. Yes, He was born in Bethlehem long, long ago. But that makes no difference unless He has been born in your heart. Jesus was born in a stable for you. He died on a cruel Roman cross for you. What have you done to pay Him for all of this? Listen friends, all that you can ever do will not repay Christ for all that He has done for you. He asks you to do just one thing– open up your heart, let Him come in, then live for Him every day of 2006 in such a way that when your come down to the end of your life you can hear Him saying “well done, thou good and faithful servant.”

One of my friends is most insistent that every church should have a service on Christmas day even when it doesn’t fall on a Sunday like it does this year. He says we need to be reminded that Christmas is the birthday of a Savior and not of Santa Claus. Today I take a strange text for our thought as we celebrated the birthday of Jesus. “As thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent him into the world.” In these brief words Jesus is saying something about God, about Himself, about us, and about the future.

First of all, He is telling us something very important about God. It is the good news that Jesus announces when he tells us that God sent Him to us. Christmas is the day when God showed us that He is personally involved in our life.

In the second place, this text is saying something about Jesus Christ. God has sent Him and He comes to us with eternal credentials. He came to people who had heavy and unbearable burdens. The Father sent Him to every person in every place and Christmas is God in Christ seeking every lost person.

In the third place, this text has a word about us. Says Jesus, “as thou didst send me into the world, so I have sent them into Thy world.” We are chosen to be a continuation of the Incarnation. If we are sent, we know our worth and we find a reservoir of power. Such a faith transforms us.

In the fourth place and finally we have here a word about tomorrow. We are to live by faith and to believe that there is a divine purpose which runs through this universe. It is only in God that we can find strength, courage, joy and victory. We are reminded of that truth at Christmas when we celebrate God’s gift of Jesus who sends us into the world as His representatives.

We're once again holding a babysitting service! On December 3rd, from 10am 'til 4pm, you can let the youth group watch your kids at the church for $3.00/hr (one child), $4.00/hr (two children), or $5.00/hr (three or more children). Ever wonder what you could accomplish in 6 hours without kids? Find out, and support our MYF at the same time! Call Alisa Jones @ 247-0958 to reserve a place for your brood.

Our Haunted House and Halloween Party was a lot of fun this year (and VERY scary!). Our thanks and appreciation go out to all the church members who helped with snacks, decorations and manpower. A very special thank you to Ann Robinson and Pizza Hut, which donated 5 pizzas to our between-hauntings dinner! And most of all, we thank all the kids (and parents!) who came out to support us by braving the Haunted House!

We spent a lot of time in September and October planning the Haunted house, but we also squeezed in waiting tables at the Roast Beef Dinner. In November, we relaxed together with a Game Night and served the church by manning a children's activity room during the Church Fair. Many of the girls in our group spent an awesome weekend at Women of Faith's "Revolve Tour for Christian Teen Girls" in Hartford, CT. Later this month, we'll be Christmas Caroling in the Blue Mountain area.

Our youth group welcomes all students in 7th through 12 grades. Call Alisa Jones for info @ 247-0958.

Several mothers of preschoolers from our church have been participating in the wonderful MOPS (Mothers of PreSchoolers) program hosted by Grace Community Evangelical Free church in Lake Katrine. It is a Christ-centered program that provides much-needed support and encouragement for moms whose kids are not yet in first grade. MOPS meets at Grace on the first and third Wednesdays of the month during the school year, from 9:00 - 11:00am. MOPS provides child care for those 2 hours so the moms can fellowship and attend programs. MOPS ALWAYS NEEDS CHILD CARE HELPERS! If you would like to help, you can commit to one Wednesday a year or all of them, whatever fits your schedule! Please call Alisa Jones @ 247-0958 for more information, or Emily Johnson, MOPS' child care coordinator directly @ 338-3554. Thank you for prayerfully considering this service to mothers of preschoolers!

The new Member Care Committee had its first meeting. The group identified members and friends of the Church who are of special concern because they are either in nursing homes or are having health problems. The Committee is going to try to maintain closer contact with these members. Their first project was to send Thanksgiving cards to some of the folks on the list. The next planned event is for Sunday, December 4, when the Committee is sponsoring a birthday celebration for Louise Wipper’s 99^th birthday. (Her actual birthday is December 3.) Lou is living at the Family Lodge on Main Street. We will leave from the church about 1:00 to go to the Family Lodge. Anyone who would like to join us is welcome. Anyone wishing to send her a birthday card, her address is 108 Main Street, Saugerties, NY 12477. Another project that we are planning is to visit some of our shut-ins around the holidays. We are hoping that small groups (2 or 3 people) could bring some holiday cheer to those who cannot get out. We will be planning these holiday visitations at our next meeting – immediately after church on December 4 in the Lounge (from 12 – 1:00, before going to visit Lou). New members are welcome. A light lunch will be provided.

Our sympathy goes to Mrs. Al McDowell on the death of her grandmother, Mary Gordon, in Golden Hill Nursing Home on Nov. 9^th, 2005. Pastor Buddle conducted her funeral service on Nov. 12, 2005 in Kingston, N.Y.

Excerpts from a letter received from Bishop Jeremiah Park concerning The United Methodist Committee on Relief, otherwise known as UMCOR, are included in the following message:

“It is heartbreaking to see the catastrophic devastation of hurricane Katrina. Our hearts go out to the hundreds and thousands, even millions of people directly affected by this horrible natural disaster of historic proportion. Human suffering as well as loss of lives and property will continue to rise and claim numerous victims. It is painful to see that those who have the least suffer the most.”

“Because of their compassion, United Methodists are known for their generous spirit of reaching out to people in need” wherever in the world disaster strikes.”

“Monetary gifts are most urgently needed at this time. UMCOR is prepared to send relief workers and support for other agencies engaged in on-site relief efforts.”

Donations should be made to “Hurricanes 2005 Global, Advance #982523.” Be certain your check contains the Advance number above and the name and address of our church.

Your contributions should be sent to THE UNITED METHODIST COMMITTEE ON RELIEF, GENERAL BOARD OF GLOBAL MINISTRIES, 475 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, NEW YORK, NY 10015. You can also donate online to UMCOR’s relief efforts at www.methodistrelief.org.

Our appreciation goes to Nancy & John Forsythe for the donation of artificial flowers for
the altar.