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A Message from Pastor Larry –  December 2006 Dear Saints: It’s hard to believe how quickly the Christmas season comes around each year! I write this article only a few days after All Saints Sunday, since I’ll be on vacation when information is due for the December newsletter. Already the sights and sounds of Christmas are in the air; yet, my mind is still on All Saints. Advent is, as many of you know, a time of waiting—a time of anticipation—as we look ahead to the first coming of the Savior. All Saints too, in its own way, is a time of waiting and anticipation as we look forward to the day when we’ll be reunited with our loved ones in Christ who have preceded us in death. I mentioned on All Saints Sunday that 34 of our faithful have made that journey since my coming to St. Matthew in March 2003. So, for many of us the impact of their passing is still fresh in our hearts and minds. I’d therefore like to share with you this month a poem that was given to me a year-or-so ago by a dear 94-year-old lady. I hope you’ll find it as encouraging as I have. My First Christmas In Heaven I’m having my first Christmas in Heaven, a glorious, wonderful day! Standing with saints of all ages, in Christ, the truth and the way. I’m now in the heavenly choir; I, who so loved to sing! And, oh what celestial music we bring to our Savior and King. I’m singing the glad song of redemption, how Jesus to Bethlehem came, And why they called His name Jesus, that all may be saved through His Name! Oh, loved one, I wish you could be here! No Christmas on earth can compare, With all of the rapture in glory, I witness in Heaven so fair! You know how I always loved Christmas; it seemed such a wonderful day, With all of my loved ones around me, so happy in every way. Yes, now I can see why I loved it; and, oh what a joy it will be, When all of my loved ones are with me, to share all the glories I see! So, dear ones on earth, I send greetings. Look up! Till dawning appears, And, oh what a Christmas awaits us, beyond all our partings and tears! — Author unknown God’s blessings this Advent and Christmas, Pastor Larry   Do you have comments about this message? Please click here to e-mail me.   Top of Page