To You … With Love,

Our city lights of Christmas time are particularly beautiful this year. Their brightness in the “dark streets” has again opened the way for our eyes to have a knowing that something more than the ordinary is about.

I love the city star lights shining out telling us the way to God is just over the hillside beneath the eastern star. I love the carol of bells hanging high where all may hear a welcome from his footsteps in the earth.

I love the spirit of kindness, peace, and good will that quietly settles over the city where his presence is celebrated from on high, but most of all I love the “Word” revealed in stable signs, lying in homemade managers at the doorway of the temples, as his name is glorified.

It is here, at the sight of the rustic managers, with the holy family gathered round, the Face of God beholds the swaddling things of earth, where trials and troubles has wrapped man’s life so tightly, it could not beat softly, lest it finds the child whose love abides beneath the pain.

Thus, as the Christ-mass is celebrated again here in our own hometown, be sure your mind goes by the manager. Many stars can shine, many bells may ring, many acts of good will hug the darkness every day, but the story would be unfinished if we did not see and worship the babe within the straw.

As you look anew into this holy-day, may all the belts of Christmas fill your trembling soul with joy, for unto us a Savior is born. Joy to the world.

Merry Christmas.

Rev. Avis Richardson, (retired)