Decorations

Have you decorated yet?

My husband reminded me last week that a year ago, we set up our Christmas tree a full week before Thanksgiving. We never do that! We decorate on Thanksgiving Day or the day after; never earlier. But last year, in the pandemic, we longed for the joy that the season brings, so we got started a little early. This year is so different! This year, we aren’t sure when or if we will decorate. We are in the middle of remodeling our large living room, and all the furniture is scattered around the house. Between that and the construction dust, we aren’t sure when we will get around to putting up a tree! I might have to just decorate my office instead.

How about you? Is your home like my first house, with a tree in every room and bathroom? Do you set up the Christmas village, with trains and people and snow set up in a happy fashion, waiting for you to notice all the details? Do you put lights up outside and wow the neighbors with your creativity? Do you have a tree with all the family ornaments, with handprints and glitter on everything? Do you have the tree-in-a-box, ready to pull out and fluff but nothing else needed?

No matter your decorating style, know that Christmas will come anyway. Whether you leave out cookies for Santa or not, Christmas will come anyway. Whether you shop for the perfect gift or you give cash in a card, Christmas will come anyway. The importance of this season is not how well we decorate. This season is a preparation for the Christ Child. How will you prepare him room? How are you making space for Jesus in your daily, mundane, everyday life? How are you waiting in expectation for what God will do around you?

There’s no hurry to decorate. Enjoy the process. Or just skip it! Whatever you do, I pray you are blessed by family and friends, by unexpected blessings. I pray that you see God. I pray that you are moved by God to see the true gift of Christmas—God in the flesh, in a manger for you and for me.

See you soon,
Pastor Lynn

WORSHIP SCHEDULE
(Please note, masks are required during all services as well as inside all St. Mark’s buildings.)
Join us for worship:

• 8:30 a.m. Traditional service with choirs in Sanctuary and child care in Rm 15
• 10 a.m. Modern worship service with Praise Team in Fellowship Hall
• 10 a.m. Traditional service with choirs in Sanctuary
• 10 a.m. Youth and children’s Sunday School and child care
• 10 a.m. Livestream premieres on YouTube and Website

To access our pre-recorded service:

• From the main menu on our website click “Worship.”  -OR-
• Go to YouTube and search for UMC St. Mark’s Oro Valley or use this link.