School Days

Last night, NHBC welcomed over one hundred children to our annual Backpack Giveaway. This is always an exciting event, watching children excited to get ready for the start of school. As the new school years begins, pray for the teachers and administrators preparing classrooms for incoming students, for students as they ready themselves for a new year of learning, and parents as they participate in the process of education. At National Heights, we celebrate all of the good people who have dedicated themselves to the important task of teaching. May God give each of you wisdom and strength as you prepare for the new school year!

Excited for Christmas

A few weeks ago, one of my friends posted, “Six months until Christmas!” Last week, I heard that Hobby Lobby was putting out Christmas decorations. And, yesterday, I received our choir newsletter, notifying us that August 25 would be our “Christmas” party, where we would hear the Christmas music for the choir’s presentation. I love the Christmas season, but have always felt that rushing it too much takes away some of the specialness of it, and poor old Thanksgiving certainly gets left out.

However, yesterday when reading the choir newsletter, it made me smile. I was impacted by thoughts of how people in Bible times were looking forward and even longing for “Christmas.” They were looking forward to the REAL Christmas….the coming of the Messiah. They knew nothing of trees, tinsel, presents, “Black Friday” sales, or Christmas decorations. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if current-day people also  looked forward to seeing Jesus, believed He is coming, and spread the word.

Many people put a LOT of effort into preparation for Christmas…they shop, bake, decorate, sing, and look forward with anticipation. But we’re often neglectful to look forward to the second coming, and to put great effort into preparing for it, by sharing with others, preparing our hearts, and celebrating the true meaning of that day.

This year, whenever I see a Christmas sale, decoration, etc., rather than have the mindset of “NOT YET,” I hope I’m reminded of that other event that will one day happen…not just an anniversary of Christ’s coming, but His final coming….and most of all, I hope my spirit is quickened with the urgency to spread the news so that others will be able to share in that same victorious event.

        Revelation 22:20 (NIV): He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.”


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