December 1 - by: Gladys Eckman

Am I Ready?
On this first Sunday of Advent, no I am not ready, but I recognize that I want to be. I want to feel the rush of the Christmas season, the story of Christ's birth, the celebration of Jesus coming to us so many years ago so I went to church this morning looking for my own comfort and solace.

And I did recieve the comfort I needed, in the concert of my church family, the love of each of them for me in my unease. I have always liked to enter our church, a building of brick and wood, but above and beyond that there is a peace in this building, a peace made up of the people who have been there- the pastor, workers who have given of thier time and energy to make this building God's home for us, and the many people who just care about each other every day.

On this day, I begin my journey to celebrate with the many others in my family, my church family and those that I do not know but who are still part of my life and who will be part of my preparation. Yes, I want to celebrate Advent, but I want my celebration to continue on beyone the great day of Jesus' birth, on to the rest of the days of the coming year. On this Sunday and the next and the next I will try to prepare myself so that I can answer, am I ready? I want to be able to say, to shout! YEs! I am ready!!! Come be with me during this Advent season so we can celebrate Christmas with a special joy in our hearts while we await the coming of our Lord.

Gladys Eckman