Dec. 22, 2012

The Lord’s angel stood before the, the Lord’s glory shone around them and they were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid! Look! I bring good news to you – wonderful, joyous news for all people. – Luke 2:9-10

Today, I am in Augusta, Wisconsin. We will be celebrating Christmas with my family later today. This is the first time in many, many years that I have been at my folks before we actually celebrate Christmas. Usually, I’m the one the rest of the family is waiting for. But this year, Rick and I were able to come the night before.

This morning, Mom and I baked pies: pumpkin, lemon meringue (for my husband) and mincemeat (not my choice but made for other family members.) We baked a few cookies, listened to Christmas music and enjoyed getting things ready. The table is set and decorated, some presents under the tree and the cookie tray ready.

As I have gotten older, my favorite part of the Deaton Christmas celebration is just before we eat dinner. Someone gets out the Deaton family Bible that came from Grandma Deaton’s house. We read aloud the Christmas story. Sometimes more than one person reads. Maybe a word is mispronounced but it’s still the Christmas story.

This story was not just for the shepherds. This story is for us today, just as the angel proclaimed: “I bring good news to you – wonderful, joyous news for all people.” This story wasn’t just intended for folks 2,000 years ago. It is just as important for us today. That’s why we celebrate this story: because it is good news, wonderful joyous news for us today.

During the next few days, I anticipate we will have various Christmas celebrations. Some today or tomorrow. Some on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. Some may celebrate throughout the week or next weekend. As you smell the pies bake, you wrap the last present, gather at your family table, my prayer is that we will all remember the wonderful and joyous that the shepherds had proclaimed to them. This same good news speaks to us today … if we only let it.

Just as the angels proclaimed good news to the shepherds, may we hear the wonderful and joyous news proclaimed of Christ’s birth. May we see that this good news is for us also. Amen.

Blessings –

Dianne