I just returned from a most enjoyable time of Christmas caroling. This is the first time we attempted it on a mid-week service night and we were a bit afraid that we may suffer in attendance. In past years we have noticed that fewer people were coming on dedicated caroling nights. Anyhow, we were most pleased to see about 60 people show up to visit several of our shutins, widows, and hurting people.
James says: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. What happened tonight was pure religion.
Our group was the "Christiana group" of 17 people. We had three stops in about a 10 mile radius. The first was a member of our church who is battling cancer. They really appreciated our stop. The second was one of our handicapped seniors that has recently moved to a retirement facility. She wept with joy and hugged each of us as we finished our last song: "This is so wonderful" she said. The last was a dear couple well into their 80's who have also recently entered a retirement community. - "this is so nice" they said as they held Emma and listened to the sounds of the Incarnation of God in song. On another occasion in our journeys, we were able to sing the gospel to a group of unsaved ladies who rejoiced.
I have heard that the other groups had similar experiences of great fellowship and ministry. Anything new is a bit of a risk, but I will guarantee you that this will become part of our Christmas Tradition at LBC each year. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience "Pure Religion" and I didn't even write of the joys of being with the other families.
Merry CHRISTmas,
pw
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