Connecting at Christmas
Posted on Dec 11, 2019 by Heather Lewis
I grew up in a military family, moving every 1 to 3 years, leaving friends behind for new adventures. I learned from my parents to take lots of pictures, keep addresses and phone numbers, and stay in touch by sending Christmas cards every year. When we lived away from our grandparents, which was almost always, my mom wrote long letters to them every weekend to keep them updated, as long-distance calls were expensive.
When I went to college, I realized that my best friends weren’t always the ones I kept in touch with the most — it was the friends who actually answered my letters! Thank goodness for the current age of social media, texting, and emailing, where it’s free and simple to stay in contact. I do all of those things, but I’m still old school about Christmas cards. I send pictures and news to family and friends around the country, on an old-fashioned actual card in a stamped envelope. My husband thinks I’m nuts, but I love it.
Staying in contact is not equal to connecting with people, though, is it? I am an obsessive connector — I try to always look at people and smile, strike up conversations in elevators, shake hands, and hug even people I don’t know very well. Besides music, connecting is my favorite thing about church — it’s a place you go to connect with God, and experience and spread His love with those around you.
If you are feeling the need to connect this season, please stop outside the sanctuary and have a cup of coffee at our new mini-café upstairs. Come to our midweek Advent suppers and services on Wednesdays, where we eat at 6 p.m. and have a short, meaningful service at 7 p.m. Invite your friends, and introduce yourself to someone you haven’t met. Be inspired by the stories and music of Christmas, as we journey this season together.
In Christ's love,
Heather Lewis
Director of Music and Worship