• Home
    • Easter Reading Schedule
    • Protocols
    • Ways to Give
  • Prayer Corner
    • Share a Request
    • Memorial Tribute >
      • Edna Kirby
      • Norman Hunter
      • Ina Rottier
      • Dennis Brommeland
      • Norris Thompson
      • Irv Wood
      • Ann Vander Kooi
      • Jack Demorest
      • Yde Vander Kooi
      • Ainsley Rose Wollf
      • Dick Mayer
      • David Rusnell
      • Bob McKay
      • Guy Deschatelets
      • Chloe Kroeger
      • Ida Barisoff
      • Gerard Zandee
      • Nick Dikur
  • About Valley
    • Annual Reports >
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
      • 2017 Annual Report
      • 2016 Annual Report
      • 2015 Annual Report
    • Who We Are
    • What We Believe
    • How We Are Governed >
      • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Where We Are Going
  • Ministries
    • Leadership Team >
      • Nomination Committee
      • Benevolent Ministry
    • Finance and Property >
      • 2021 Budget
      • Current Quarterly Report
      • Guidelines for Use of Building
    • Missions >
      • Missions Guidelines
      • Valley Missions Newsletter
    • Caring and Connecting
    • Christian Education >
      • Library
    • Worship >
      • Heritage House
  • What's Happening
    • Bulletin
    • Links
  • Photos
    • 30th Anniversary
    • Annual Celebration >
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
    • 25th Anniversary
    • Follow the Duck 2014
    • Follow the Crown 2013
    • Mexico 2013
    • "The Bridge"
    • 20th Anniversary
  • Messages
    • Archived Messages 2021
    • Archived Messages 2020
    • Archived Messages 2019
    • Archived Messages 2018
    • Archived Messages 2017
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Directory >
      • Membership List
      • How To Become A Member
      • Guidelines for Responsible Members
VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

What Will You Find This Christmas?

12/14/2013

0 Comments

 
Christmas, it’s the season of waiting! 

I suppose I should be used to waiting by now and I guess I’m getting better at it, but I don’t like to wait.  I remember as a kid how hard it was to wait during the days leading up to Christmas morning.  I can still remember checking the presents each time a new one appeared under the tree. 

I had this down to an art form, studying the gift, checking the tag twice, to make sure my it was for me; sizing up the box’s shape and dimensions and then picking it up and shaking it!  Does it fit the specifications of the gift I was hoping to receive? 

I knew from a young age that a really big box with my name on it was always better than the little boxes.  So when I took inventory, I always had to factor in the size versus quantity conversion.  And then I had to deduct those presents that might have socks or underwear in them; those don’t count!  And of course I had to inventory my presents in comparison to those for my sister or brother, to see if they had more gifts than me, because that just wouldn’t be right! 

There was more to this than just a passing glance as I walked by the tree.  I had to check to make sure all the gifts had arrived from the relatives.  It was all part of the waiting and hoping process. t was pretty stressful for a kid! 

My inspection routine would increase in length and frequency as Christmas morning grew closer.  My mother would try to chase me away whenever she saw hanging around three, or she would try to distract me, giving the appropriate warning about Santa not coming. Like that ever worked! 

As a kid I always thought what was in those boxes was everything I was hoping to receive; that I would be happy if I could just get that for which I was waiting.  But the feeling of happiness was not what I expected, it didn’t last.  When all the presents had been unwrapped I was still hoping for something more. 

You might think that’s just part of being a child but as I grew up, I experienced the same empty feeling over and over again; always hoping, but never really feeling satisfied. 

If I could just have a new mustang bike, with a banana seat, then I’d be happy.  I saved money from my paper route, bought the bike, but the bike didn’t satisfy my heart.  Later, I thought, if I could just go on a date with Shawna Cooper; it was nice, but that didn’t do it either.  If I could just find a good paying job, a nice car, a house, I would be satisfied. It was never enough.  There was always a sense of emptiness. 

I’m not a kid anymore, but I still have to wait.  However, I no longer hope for ‘things’ to satisfy me.  I still enjoy many of things I’ve been given, but I’m just not looking for those things to fill the longings of my heart.  Instead, I have found something that really does satisfy, something that gives my life meaning and purpose, something I can hold on to through the ups and downs of life; a hope that doesn’t fade.  It’s a hope that is rooted in the Christmas Story; a Story that has changed my life.

I wonder if you’ll find what you’re hoping for this Christmas.  You might not find it under a tree but if you look around, if you open your eyes and heart, you just might find it in the wonder and beauty of the Christmas Story. 

May this season of waiting, lead you back to manger, back to Bethlehem, for to you a Savior has been born!  (Luke 2:11)
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice ; they have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley) and Andrea & Jason.

    Categories

    All
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church
    Creation
    Easter
    Finishing Well
    Leadership
    Mexico
    Most Viewed
    Nature Of God
    Our Stories
    Parenting
    Prayer
    Relationships
    Worship

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

4312 Black Sage Road Box 1235 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 250-498-4829 valleyccc@hotmail.com