From the Editor

Lessons Learned and Learning

God’s story in Jesus bears repeating. Over and over. If you look for incarnation, it’s surprisingly simple to find his footsteps and fingerprints all over the Bible, the church, this issue of Connections and, hopefully, our lives.

Mary and Joseph in Don Ryan’s painting right on the cover. So often images are of the night sky with one shining star above. Don’s painting bathes them in daylight. That Mediterranean climate in the painting gives a sense of the heat of a warmer place.

Lessons and Carols and Santa. All in Susan Zimmerman’s article, she looks back to look ahead, not so much at the holiday itself but the God-Man of Christmas and attempts to honor and know and understand.

Kathy Antoines 20-year journey with her small group inspires as she says goodbye to Belinda Duvel, one of the members of the group.

Longing in a poem. Though not a theme of Christmas, the exploration of food and drink makes me think of the Incarnation. How Jesus in flesh filled stomachs and souls. Thank you, Bert Bunn.

Looking back at dark and light. Thad McCauley considers the year we’re just finishing. He sees God’s good hand at work. May we all see that same hand as we look either back or ahead. It’s a good missions update, too.

Best books. I so enjoy seeing what others have read and loved reading this year. We have the beginning of that list this month with more to come in January.

There’s more, much more. So read this month’s issue and consider the wonder of Christmas again. It’s not a Christmas carol, but the words of this old hymn challenge me to consider and share with others the wonder of the Word made flesh.

Sweetly echo the gospel call,

Wonderful words of life;

Offer pardon and peace to all,

Wonderful words of life;

Jesus, only Savior,

Sanctify forever.

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life.