I still remember the morning our son was born. Though the event occurred many years ago, I still have great clarity of that day – it is a time my wife and I treasure.
It was the “spring forward” day of Daylight savings time, and our doc had attended a rock concert the night before – forgetting to “spring forward” her clock. So, even though the birth day was planned several days in advance, Josh entered the world one hour later than expected!
Josh was born at 31 weeks, and would need to spend the first month and half of his life in the NICU at Children’s Hospital in OKC. Because of this, we had to play a “road game” . . . out of town and away from family and friends. Any visitors had to be invited and planned out. This meant that our birth experience looked a bit different than some . . . but it was still special to us.
This Sunday morning at Wildwood we will be continuing our “Christmas Light” sermon series by looking at Luke 2:8-20. In these verses we are reminded that Mary and Joseph were playing a “road game” when Jesus was born. They lived in Nazareth, but Jesus was born in Bethlehem (a week’s journey away). Though Bethlehem was Joseph’s ancestral home, they were far from what was “normal” for them.
Even though they were miles from home, the Lord still planned some special visitors to see the new born baby. By special invite, shepherds came. By divine plan, angels attended. In the night sky, the darkness of an entire era was broken by the Christmas Light of the glory of God. And through it all – Mary treasured all these experiences in her heart.
As we gather for worship this Sunday morning, we are adding one additional worship service (at 8:30). So, we will have 3 services at 8:30, 9:45 or 11:00 where we will treasure the birth story of Jesus and see how we are also invited to worship Him this Christmas season. Make plans to join us!
NOTE: We will have normal children’s programming, student programming, and adult classes during the 9:45 and 11:00 services. At 8:30, we will only have the worship service running. If you are able to come early to worship on Sunday, please do — and worship with your entire family (we have some amazing things planned with our worship team — including the annual presentation of “Carol of the Bells.”) The added service on this day will create more space for you to invite and include many in your network to come and worship with us this Christmas season. See you Sunday!
NOTE 2: Wildwood will also have 3 Christmas Eve Services on Tuesday night, December 24 at 3:00, 4:30, and 6:00PM. These services will feature candlelight, singing, and a short reflection on Matthew 2. Can’t wait to see all of you Sunday AND Wednesday!