An imagined Christmas fades

I still remember the Christmas. Yes, the one where I received what I did not ask for and did not expect. Christmas was always filled with expectation. Wanted toys graced our tinseled tree. I never remember not receiving a Santa wish. As a child, I learned Christmas was gain for my want.

But on this morning, I got the best present I could receive and better, did not expect. Under our every year cedar tree, cut from Uncle Allen’s farm, gleamed the most beautiful set of Wilson Staff, Dynapower irons. The 2-iron through pitching wedge set of button-back irons was complete with “Adjustaback” weights and drill-through hosels. These were my first full-length men’s golf clubs. I was 13. The joy was inexpressible.

If Christmas means anything, it means God intended never to leave me alone. God has a certain way through life’s pain, a sort of heavenly gravity, that moves his children from pagan myth to unrestrained truth, the star in our silent night. I am complicit in perpetuating those imagined Christmases. The faint reminders surround me. They are but remembrances of childhood dreams. Here, my shallow grief resides. But in my deeper grief, in my distance and absence from God, my soul awakened to a peace I had yet to understand.

Solomon reminds us, “To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose …” and since there are many things, there are many seasons. Through all my seasons, all my Christmases, my misunderstanding slowly died as God weaved his purpose within me in unexpected ways. When those childhood dreams no longer held sway, and eternity filled the void, I understood. Peace and pain share a strange, familiar home. God’s inexpressible peace returns our hearts to the manger. Like the Magi and the shepherds, we, too, say, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see the Christ child.” From fields and deserts, we journey toward that silent night, past tinseled lights and neon embers’ glow, past wishes and wants and neatly tied bows. And when by hurried rush our imagined Christmas fades, and last our hearts are still, into a manger’s hope we gaze upon God’s holy will.

On that silent night, Jesus came not for a room in an inn or an earthly throne, but for our hearts. Wise men gave him gold, frankincense and myrrh. He gave hope. A star lit the way. He enlightened with truth. On this silent night, an everlasting light was born, Immanuel. And into darkness, God’s light did so shine upon men, in believing, our salvation was assured.

“For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11) And God is born to us in every season, in every time. May God’s truth, blessings, love and peace reign in your heart forever. Merry Christmas!

A worker fixes lights ahead of Christmas at the Church of the Nativity, traditionally believed by Christians to be the birthplace of Jesus Christ in the West Bank city of Bethlehem.

Christian worshipers light candles at the Church of the Nativity.

Photos by Nasser Shiyoukhi, The Associated Press

Adairsville Church of God, 297 Old Dixie Highway, Adairsville, hosts Adairsville Church of God Kidz every Sunday morning at 11 a.m.

Chapel Hill United Methodist Church, 1818 Kingston Road, will hold Christmas Eve services at 11 a.m.

Faith Temple of Jesus Christ OCOG, 542 Branham Ave., will have Christmas breakfast on Saturday at 8 a.m. The meal will include biscuits, bacon, sausage, grits, eggs and more. For more information call 706-676-0930.

First Baptist Church of Rome, 100 E. Fourth Ave., holds Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Worship is held at 11 a.m. and broadcast on Comcast channel 44. For more information visit www.fbcrome.org.

First Christian Church, 209 E. Second Ave., holds Sunday worship (casual/business casual dress) at 11 a.m. Sunday School meets at 10 a.m. Morning Coffee is each Thursday from 7-9 a.m. For more information contact the church office at romedisciples@gmail.com.

Floyd Springs Baptist Church, 1869 Floyd Springs Road, Armuchee, will have a community Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. Call 706-2320933 for any questions.

Gethsemane Baptist Church, 1377 Chulio Road, will have a New Year’s Eve night watch service on Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. Brothers in Christ will be singing. For more information call 706-728-2774 or Russell Wiggins at 706-936-4891.

Greater Mount Calvary Baptist Church, 445 E. 14th St., will have Watch Night services on New Year’s Eve at 10:30 p.m. For more information call 706-234-2091 or 706-234-5047.

Lovejoy Baptist Church, 436 Branham Ave., will hold their Christmas Day services at 11 a.m.

Lyerly United Methodist Church is selling their third cookbook, “Feeding the Flock.” Cookbooks can be purchased from any church member. To receive a cookbook by mail, send $13 to Lyerly United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 152, Lyerly, GA 30730. For more information call JoAnn Mitchell at 706-895-2636.

New Canaan Baptist Church,3 Excelsior St., will have a singing Dec. 31 at 6 p.m. with Ordained and the Helms Family. For more information contact Carey Wright at 706-766-1152.

The North Georgia General Missionary Baptist Association will hold First Saturday Fellowship Service with Pastor Carlos Calhoun and Bethesda Baptist Church, 440 Plainville Road, Plainville, on Jan. 6 at 9:45 a.m.

Pisgah Baptist Church, 5603 Alabama Highway, holds prayer every Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. The church will host Brotherhood Breakfast on Jan. 6 at 8 a.m. Call 706-767-8648 for more information.

Pleasant Valley North Baptist Church, 735 Old Summerville Road, holds a praise and worship service Sundays at 10:45 a.m. in the fellowship hall with music by Ben Thornton and the Praise Band. A blended service is held at the same time in the sanctuary.

Rome First United Methodist Church, 202 E. Third Ave., offers contemporary worship in the Garnett M. Wilder Center at 9 a.m. and traditional worship in the historic sanctuary at 11 a.m. Sunday School and small groups for all ages meet at 10 a.m. On Christmas Eve, the church will celebrate the gift of the Christ child at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. with carols, candlelight and Holy Communion in the historic sanctuary. There will be one worship service in the Garnett M. Wilder Center at 10 a.m. on New Year’s Eve.

St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, 42 Ash St., meets Sundays at 9:30 a.m. On Christmas Eve, the church will have Morning Prayer at 9:30 a.m. and celebrate Holy Communion at 5 p.m. On Christmas Day, the church will celebrate Holy Communion at 10 a.m. For more information call 706-506-1241.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 911 N. Broad St., will be celebrating the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Masses as follows: Masses for the fourth Sunday of Advent will be held Saturday evening at 5:30 p.m. in English and 7 p.m. in Spanish. Masses for the fourth Sunday of Advent on Sunday will be at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. in English and at 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. in Spanish. There will not be an 8 a.m. Sunday Mass in English this week. Christmas Eve Masses will be held on Sunday at 4 and 6 p.m. in English; at 8 p.m. in Spanish. The Annual Choir Concert will be presented at 10 p.m. and midnight Mass will be offered at 11 p.m. Christmas Day Masses will be at 10 a.m. in English and at noon in Spanish. For additional information on any church activities or programs contact the church office at 706-290-9000 or at DeaconNeslin@smcrome.org.

St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, held on Tuesdays at 12:15 p.m. and on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in the chapel. Sunday School/ Christian Formation is available on Sundays at 11:15 a.m. for all ages of children, youth and adults. Nursery is offered during the 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist on Sunday. Children’s Chapel is also available for children ages pre-K through third grade during the 10 a.m. Sunday service. Eve of the Nativity services will be held Sunday at 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. A Christmas Day service will be held in the chapel at 10 a.m. For more information call 706-2919111 or visit www.stpetersrome. org.

Second Avenue United Methodist Church, 801 E. Second Ave., holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. and services with the Rev. Millie Kim at 11 a.m. For more information call David Gresham at 706-237-7146 or visit www.2aveumc.org.

Silver Creek Presbyterian Church, 6 Old Rockmart Road, Lindale, holds Sunday School at 10 a.m. On Christmas Eve there will be no 11 a.m. service; a special candlelight service will be held at 5 p.m. The Rev. Camille Josey will lead worship. For more information contact Janet Farr at 706-346-7268.

Transfiguration Episcopal Church, 304 Coker Drive, will celebrate Holy Eucharist on Sunday at 11 a.m. Tuesday Travelers will not meet this week. On Wednesday, Al-Anon will meet in the parish hall at noon and there will be no evening service.

Trinity United Methodist Church, 606 Turner McCall Blvd., will gather on Christmas Eve for Lessons and Carols at 11 a.m. and candlelight services at 4, 6 and 11 p.m. Child care will be provided. For more information call 706291-0033.

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1941 Shorter Ave., holds Sunday School for all ages at 9:45 a.m. Worship is at 11 a.m. The Rev. Dr. Greg Lund will preach a sermon titled “A Walking Sanctuary.” A nursery will be available. On Christmas Eve, the church will conduct their annual candlelight service with Holy Communion at 6 p.m. Lund will preach a sermon titled “Light One Candle.” For more information call 706-235-8561.

West Rome United Methodist Church, 1003 Shorter Ave., will observe the fourth Sunday of Advent and Christmas Eve at 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. this Sunday. The morning sermon, “The Great Acceptance,” will come from Luke 1:26-38. The evening service sermon, “The Great Arrival,” will come from Luke 2:1-20. For more information visit the church website at www. westromeumc.org, call 706-2346214 or email wrumc@bellsouth. net.