During Advent, we make room for Christ in our hearts and our lives. Christine Rogers captures this beautifully in her poem, “A Clearing”:
Help me
make
a space for you
emptying myself
to create
a place for you
spreading the straw
on the floor
of my soul
in joyful
expectation
of your coming.
This season invites us to slow down, prepare and open ourselves to the hope and wonder of Christ’s birth. At First Baptist, one of the ways we do this is through traditions that shape not only our worship, but our community life, traditions that help us “spread the straw” and create space for the joy of Christ’s arrival.
Our first through fifth graders prepared their hearts by sharing Christmas cheer through caroling, a tradition they look forward to each year! With joyful voices and big hearts, our kids visited The Gardens at Eastside, The Blake, and three nearby homes.
Their singing brought smiles, laughter and a little extra warmth to everyone they met. It’s one of their favorite ways to share the love and light of this season. We are grateful for the families who joined and helped make it special.
We invite you to join us for other traditions that help “spread the straw,” such as the Candlelight Service of Lessons & Carols (Sanctuary) at 6:30pm on December 21 and our family-friendly Christmas Eve Worship Service (Sanctuary) at 5:00pm on December 24.
—Carol