Do you love church during the month of December? It is our special time of preparation to receive the Christ Child, born anew in our hearts each year. Some of our church preparations are similar to what we do at home. We put up a beautiful tree and evergreen rope wraps the chancel. We set out a nativity scene that reenacts the story of Jesus' birth, and an advent wreath marks our weekly progress.

At church, we are BIG on telling the story, and it is expressed in many different ways. It is proclaimed from the pulpit, and told by our children in their Christmas musical. We hear it spectacularly from our choir on Cantata Sunday.

On Christmas Eve, we listen to the scriptures, we sing carols, and we light our candles, remembering the One who came to be the Light to the nations. We need some light! One would think we would tire of the story, year after year the same, very old story. Perhaps that is another miracle of Christmas: It never ceases to evoke awe and wonder in our hearts.

So come and savor the season. Yes, you know the story; come hear it anew. You'll be glad you did!