There has been a lot of gathering going on around here. We gathered around cookies – the ladies on the staff had a Christmas party. (And, really, who wouldn’t gather around cookies?) We gathered around the coming of a baby – the camp threw a baby shower for our little one’s arrival on January 3rd. And tonight we will gather for our Christmas celebration. Lots of gathering. I like this idea of what brings us together – the cute delicious things of life, the celebratory moments. We gather around and taste good things and are merry. Christmas is the season for such. And it is truly Him who brings us together -this baby born in a manger. We gather around Him and in this gathering there is community, a common adoration shared. On the opposite end of the spectrum of life, there is another reason why many people come together. One of our neighboring camps has experienced deep personal hardship this past year. Everyone gathered around in comfort, love and support as tragedy also brings us together. The gifts of the Magi attest to this coming together around beginnings and ends, celebrations and sorrows. One of the uses -if not the use- of frankincense and myrrh was for burial wrappings. Expensive gifts no doubt, but fit for a baby? Yes, for this baby. In His life, by His death and through His resurrection, there is wholeness, healing, completeness. They gathered around his birth – the lowly and the lofty – and they gathered around His death – the grieved and the naysayers. When we celebrate communion, we gather around the table in remembrance to taste and see that the Lord is good. And one day, we all will gather around not just to celebrate the cute delicious things of life but the glorious wonders of His kingdom come where beauty arises from ashes and all is made right. May this be what we rejoice in as we gather to celebrate Christmas!
Ladies' Staff Christmas Cookie Party
