We are so blessed to again have Pastror G.C Branton give "Field of Dreams" Christmas Eve - I know it will inspire all of you. 

 

 

 
From: "Grover Branton"
To:
Subject: Field of Dreams Today - Christmas Eve 2003
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 07:41:24 -0500

John's "Field of Dreams Today" December 23rd "Merry Christmas Email" was truly inspiring. I appreciate how John leaves no doubt in our minds as to what he cherishes in life and what he has been waiting to receive this Christmas. ~ A great deal of our Christmas preparation is spent in waiting. We've all had to wait and we really don't like it and certainly don't appreciate being told to wait. None the less we all, especially the people of God, find ourselves waiting whether we like it or not. And what we are waiting for and fully expecting is Jesus to come any minute now to do something for us we cannot do for ourselves. ~ What are you waiting for this Christmas? We have been taught in Sunday School or by our parents to say, "We are waiting for Jesus" all the while knowing in our hearts Jesus has already come. Sometimes we play out the Christmas Story as if it never happened. Maybe that is why we are so stressed out in our waiting. We want to experience the baby Jesus once more. But the reality is God's Son, the Christ, is already here seeking entrance into the hearts and lives of an obedient people. ~ Maybe what we really need to be waiting for this Christmas are sign's of God's Kingdom in our midst. Christ awakening a new sense of ethics within us, a new sense of selflessness, lifting us out of self-pity, and causing us to care for others more than ourselves. What we are really waiting for this Christmas is new life, a new vision of what life can be like for us in the Christ who has already come. ~ We aren't the only ones waiting. There's someone else waiting, too. It's God. What do you suppose God is waiting for this Christmas? ~ Theologian Helmut Thielicke, has renamed the parable of the prodigal son. He calls it "The Parable of the Waiting Father". The waiting father's steadfast love never gives up on us. He is patiently waiting at home for us wise men and women to wise up, and the shepherd in all of us to wake up, not just to a baby in a manger but to who Jesus really is. ~ The waiting father, who do you suppose he's waiting for this Christmas? ~ I pray in this season called Holy that both you and the waiting father will receive your heart's desire. ~ Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift in Jesus Christ our Lord! 

 

Grace and Peace to you and yours, Pastor, G. C. Branton, III ~  PS, I am now going to list the things I cherish and wait for this Christmas.  Thank you, John for leading us into an examination of our heart's desire. "Let's Roll"