We are at the time of the year when holidays and other activities come around more often. This week we honor our Veterans on Veteran’s Day. The WINGS group is having a special gathering on Wednesday for our Walter Hill members who have served in our armed forces. We are thankful for their service to our nation. Because of the men and women who have served to protect our country, we live in a much safer place today.
And then on Friday, November 13, Walter Hill hosts our Annual Gospel Singing. We begin at 7:00 p.m. and the elders encourage all to attend as we gather to sing praises to God. Brian Bowman has lined up some excellent song leaders for our singing this year.
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and Walter Hill has much for which to be thankful this year. Our building expansion has been completed; we have added new elders and deacons; new families have become part of the Walter Hill family; and we have been blessed by new babies. We love our children at Walter Hill! On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day, we will have our annual Thanksgiving prayer service.
A little further out is Christmas and New Year’s. For Walter Hill, “Cookies with Santa” in early December is a big community event. The Elrod’s and Norwood’s, and several other volunteers, make this a favorite activity for many children that day.
In addition to the above-mentioned holidays and events, you will find several additional activities on the calendar that you can participate in. Details about these activities can be found elsewhere in this bulletin. Thank you to those who help plan and coordinate these events.
Celebrating and participating in holidays and special events is not unique to this day and time. In the Bible, we can read of Jesus participating in the Passover Feast, the Feast of Tabernacles, and the Feast of Dedication. It is likely Jesus participated in other Jewish holidays and feasts.
The commercialization of holidays is also not unique to today. People in Jesus’ day sought to make a profit off selling animals for sacrifices and exchanging money with those who attended these special feast days. Jesus stood in opposition to those unscrupulous practices.
So, there is a right way and a wrong way to enjoy the upcoming holidays. There is nothing wrong with enjoying a Thanksgiving meal or giving presents at Christmas. We can honor our Veterans and have a cookie and some milk with Santa.
We must, however, always remember to give thanks to the One who provides all good things in our lives, not only during the holidays, but every day of our lives. May honor and glory be given to God the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, forever and ever.