Christmas Upon Us

Well we're T-Minus 6 days and counting until flying-reindeer season officially opens. Our kids are all excited for Christmas morning, many family members are en-route for the big holiday, and we can't find a Christmas goose for my dad, so turkey will have to do.

Our little church, as it has done for 36 or so Christmases before, put on the living nativity this past weekend. I stood in the single-digit air for 2 nights serving hot chocolate and tending the fire as visitors came to warm themselves during breaks between shows.

In spite of the great weekend our church is having a rough month. About a month ago, the youth pastor gave his resignation. It was not a voluntary resignation.

Our church has been dealing with factions forming along loyalty to the youth pastor versus loyalty to the church body. It feels as though those aligning with the youth pastor are generating some pretty awful sentiments toward the church council. I have taken the path of accepting the council's decision and believing that they want what's best for our congregation.

I admit that I am not close with the former youth pastor, so his leaving will not hit me in the same way that it has hit many of our members. That said, some of the things that have started to rumour their way around the church are completely destructive and have gone too far.

I have confidence that our church will survive this difficulty, but it is not pleasant right now.

Work has been very busy lately. I have projects coming in from every angle right now and am struggling to keep my head above water. I hope that the holiday week is not lost to work. I have family in town that I really want to spend time with, so it would be a big disappointment if I missed them while they were here.

That is my life right now.

I'm so grateful for it.