Christmas is a great time to attend church and festive services. There are pageants, musicals, midnight services and a variety of ways to celebrate the season. If you don’t attend church on a regular basis, this is a great time of the year to start. Also if you don’t have a church home, this is a great time to find one. Just as you do Christmas shopping for just the right gift, you need to do church shopping for just the right church. Your local church should be a healthy place to participate in worship and fellowship within a community of like-minded individuals.

In our society we have lost the sense of community. When I was little, neighbors knew each other and watched out for each other. Sadly, that is not the case anymore – That’s why having a church home and family is so important. And look at it this way, you didn’t get to pick your own family, but you can pick your church family!

I just participated in a memorial service yesterday for one of our church family members, Jan Boyles. I sing in our church choir and Jan was one of our choir members. I believe that we have 50 choir members on our roster. Everyone that could be there attended the service for Jan yesterday. The choir lofts were full. It brought tears to my eyes looking at the big choir turn out because the choir truly was a part of Jan’s family.

The spirit of Christmas which represents the season of love, joy, peace and hope manifested through the birth of Jesus, should carry throughout the year. To have strong faith, you need to associate with like-minded people to support you on your journey.

If you live in St. Louis and are looking for wonderful Christmas music and inspirational services, visit my church, First Presbyterian Church in Kirkwood, 100 East Adams, Kirkwood, Missouri. More details on times and activities can be found at http:kirkwoodpres.org – click on the Events tab at the top of the home page.

“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulder. And he will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6