December 21

Becky Hafner-Camp

Holiday times often make me think of my childhood. When I think about Advent, various images come to mind: days getting shorter, weather becoming gloomier and colder, anticipation of the birth of Jesus, thinking about presents to give (and receive!), knowing that I would soon see grandparents, aunts and uncles, and cousins; and that we would revel in each other’s company.  There would be singing, playing music, eating, playing Yahtzee and getting creamed by grandma Minna Hafner in the game of gin rummy. It was worth it to get a piece of her Lebkuchen or Stollen.

We always had an Advent wreath and an Advent calendar.  In the ‘50s, the Advent calendars we had did not include candy.  When the little door was opened for the day, there was a lovely picture of a wreath, a candle; then, later in the season a shepherd, an angel, or a star would appear.

The predominant feeling was preparing, journeying spiritually, traveling, waiting, and biding that time that was also holy. The lights got brighter as we approached the “oases” on the freeway around Chicago, the Advent wreath glowed more as a new candle was lit, the house brightened as presents appeared, the living room was warmer after the tree lights were added.  All this was to prepare. At the end of the Advent season appeared the brightest, most glorious Light of all time, the Prince of Peace and Savior of our world.

John 9:1-7
As he walked along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva and spread the mud on the man’s eyes, saying to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). Then he went and washed and came back able to see.

December 20

Kate Davis

Have you ever attended Christmas Eve Communion service at NPC? If you have, you experienced meaningful worship, heavenly music, the closeness of communion, and the feeling of family.  Have you ever participated in the service from the balcony?

When in second grade our daughter, Elizabeth, took part, along with many of her friends, in the worship preparation class.  As a culmination of that class, participants had an opportunity to celebrate their first communion on Christmas Eve.  Being busy with a young child we wanted to be at home in Newnan for Christmas morning.  We were visiting relatives out of town and were anxious about cutting short our visit there to return to Newnan in time for the Christmas Eve service.

We visited, we opened, we ate, and we hurried back to Georgia.  When we arrived at the church, the only place to sit was in the balcony.  And as luck would have it, the only balcony seat was at the large window overlooking the sanctuary.  We were joined there by several other second graders and were able to share in the wander and magic of music, communion, and worship “from above.”

I will never forget the look on the faces of those young Christians as we followed the service and reached the lighting of the candles and the singing of “Silent Night.”  The memory of leaving one home and rushing home to another is still vivid in my mind.  What a special feeling to have a “home” and to share in the light of the Christ child.

A balcony seat in the Newnan Presbyterian Church is just another special place to worship God.  A front row seat with a spectacular view!

Matthew 5:14-16
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid.  No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lamp-stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.

December 19

Ellie Crosby

Last year, I drove home for Christmas break with my friend, Kate, from UVA. We mapped out our route from Charlottesville to Newnan with stops planned every two hours to switch drivers and get nourishments. Though the road was long and the weather was rainy, we kept high spirits with the idea of arriving home soon.

As we drove down the interstate putting more and more miles between school and ourselves, Christmas began to seem more and more real. We listened to songs and loudly sang along for the first few legs of the journey, and then we began to talk. We talked about school, about God, and about how going home was going to be an adjustment after living independently for a semester.

Right as we approached Atlanta, darkness settled in and heavy rain began to fall. The drive from Atlanta to Newnan was the biggest struggle; we were so close, yet so far. The darkness and rain didn’t stop us; we made it home!

What a great moment it was to step into my warm house, surrounded by Christmas decorations, and welcomed by my family, awaiting my return! It was just the beginning of a wonderful Christmas!

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

December 18

Will Telligman

The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Psalm 121:8

I am one of six children.  Four siblings are from my father’s first marriage.  My younger brother and I are from his second.  The older four split their years between Indiana, where my father grew up, and our farm in South Carolina.  We would make trips each Christmas and summer to pick them up and take them back, and visit my paternal grandmother and other family members.

As a young child, these trips were very exciting for me.  I specifically remember the anticipation leading up to the ten-hour drive to pick up my siblings, and how the ride seemed to go on for days in my child’s head.  I always enjoyed spending time with my older siblings, and missed them greatly when we were apart.  The anticipation I felt as a child to see my family can be likened to the anticipation I feel for the renewed spirit that comes with the celebration of Christmas, and the excitement to spend time with family members that we may not see on a regular basis.