Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church

Most of us who worship at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church are from somewhere else. Of course, there are some exceptions. For example, Corbitt Woods and Brett Duncan grew up right here in Gwinnett County. We also have people from places like Alabama, North Carolina and Florida. Some of us have made our way from the Midwest, the Northeast and even a few from the West Coast, like Nathan Heidger. Some, like our Treasurer, JC Calder, or our Worship Leader, Jason Arcega have come all the way from Canada! Every week, we have people in worship that have made their way to our church from other states or other countries.

Many of you know I am from Buffalo, NY. As I write this eNote, I am in Niagara Falls, NY, enjoying a cup of coffee and a snowman cookie. Oddly enough I am listening to "I'll Be Home for Christmas" by Martina McBride. I am here for a couple days with Rachael. Her mom turns 80 today, and there is a surprise party for her this Friday.

While I would never choose to move back to this area, there is a small part of me that feels a connection here. Perhaps it is the familiarity of the geography, or it's the memories that drift to the surface, or maybe it's a deeper connection to my spirit. For better or worse this place will always feel like home. Maybe some of you who return home from time to time know this feeling I am trying to describe.

Many of you will be travelling home for this Christmas season. Some of you will host family and friends at your home here in Georgia. Either way, the celebration of Christmas is intertwined with home. Many of you will spruce up your home by decorating it with lights, and candles and a tree. You may host friends and family throughout the season. You will take pictures of your children and grandchildren in front of the tree or a fireplace. Somewhere in there you many even attend a special dinner with too much food and not enough space. As a family, you'll attend worship services, sing familiar carols, or hold a single candle as you sing "Silent Night" on Christmas Eve. This is all a part of Christmas. It is a time for reunion, for family, for giving, receiving, but most of all it's time to be home, wherever that home may be.

In a way, it's kind of ironic that "home" is so central to our celebration of Christmas. After all, the first Christmas was about God leaving the comfort and familiarity of heaven to be born to a couple who were for all intents and purposes homeless. In our faith, God leaves heaven and comes to earth, to be born as a vulnerable child wrapped tightly in clothes. He sleeps silently in a feeding trough, as a couple displaced from their home gaze with wonder. Shepherds, whose homes were tents in a field, come at the invitation of angels. No religion in the world has a story like this one. God comes to earth and places himself in the hands of human beings.

I believe God's ultimate destination is the human heart. The child we remember at Christmas never had a home. He never owned a home. He never rented a home. Perhaps the reason for this is that not only one home would do. This Christmas, it occurs to me that when God came to earth, He was coming home; not to Buffalo, or Charlotte or even Calgary, but He was coming home to our hearts. For when God enters our hearts, only then is God truly at home.

The Risen Jesus says to anyone who will listen, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me." In fact, Jesus even made this invitation to those who worshiped as a church. And sometimes, even in the church we forget that God wants to live and rule in our hearts.

This Christmas season, wherever the celebration takes you, remember that it is about home. It is not just about a decorated, brightly lit and family filled home but it is about something deeper in the heart - something that is right, and good and joyful. If it has been a while, open the door again and invite Him into stay, and let the child born in the manger make a home in your heart.

This Christmas there will be some great opportunities to invite God into your heart.

• This Sunday, December 9th our Music and Worship Ministry will present "Come See the Lamb" at the 8:00am, 9:30am and 11:00am services.
• Next Sunday, December 16th we'll enjoy a traditional service of "Lessons and Carols" with musical guest artist Staci Frenes. Then, Sunday night at 6pm, Staci will hold a benefit concert for The Pantry Ministry of Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church.
• On Sunday, December 23rd Jason Mincey will be preaching his Ordination Sermon.
• On Christmas Eve, December 24th the services are as follows:
• 3:00pm and 5:00pm - The Puppet Christmas.  
•  5:00pm and 7:00pm - The Festival of Lights Christmas Eve Service. 
• 11:00pm - The Candlelight Communion Christmas Service.

Come with family and friends. Come with an open heart. Come expecting to meet Christ.

In Christ,

Pastor Dave

Niagara Falls, NY