While I don’t remember my first Christmas, my parents told me they lost me for a few minutes. Apparently, at six months old, I liked to roll around and rolled myself right under the Christmas Tree, giving my parents a bit of a panic attack! We couldn’t spend my first Christmas dating Chris together, so he shipped me a Ken doll to hold his place. My first Christmas as a mom was joyous and overwhelming. My five-pound one-month-old didn’t know what was happening and just wanted to be held and warm. Looking back, I’m ashamed that none of those Christmas memories include attending church, though I know we did, usually the 4 o’clock family service. When we moved to Shelton, our Christmas seemed structured around the church. What time did I need to be there to sing, when did the girls need to be there, and did we have everything we needed? As I’ve delved deeper into my faith, I’ve learned more and more about the Christmas story and the time leading up to it.
This year, we waited until Thanksgiving weekend to decorate as usual, but it happens to be the same time as the first Sunday of Advent. So, it’s been a whole weekend of preparations, which is appropriate considering the purpose of Advent. But it also dawned on me that this is The Table’s first Christmas, and like so many firsts in life, it’s filled with excitement and nerves. This year, we will celebrate on December 22nd. We will have countless musical numbers, the Word of the Lord, celebrate the Eucharist, and so much more. Santa is coming, too! We will do it as a community, looking outward and bringing in as many people as possible, sharing our love of Jesus, and working to care for those in need.
I’m praying that the community will join us, feel our love and joy, and make this first Christmas another launching point for The Table’s good work.