“Joyous Ritual” 

“Ritual” may evoke in our minds negative thoughts of boredom and no fun.  Aimee, however, concentrated on the joy found in ritual as evidenced in the lives of Simeon and Anna.  Both Simeon and Anna were well advanced in years and both were devout and righteous as they awaited the coming of the Messiah.  (Anna had been a widow for over seven decades.)  They recognized Jesus as a gift because they had spent much time in relationship with God.  Do we await God’s plan for our lives?  Are we connected enough to recognize the gift when it comes? 

Can we start a new ritual by:

·     Reading through the Bible next year?

·     Exercising regularly?

·     Finding someone to whom to be accountable?

·     Being excited about following Jesus (as stated in our Silverwood goals)?

Isaiah Weishaupt, Aimee’s toddler, felt he NEEDED a piece of hard candy and was reluctant to give it up, and so swallowed it.  Choking followed, but a quick Heimlich from Dad saved the day!  Our perceived needs may not always be good for us! 

The service ended with “Silent Night” as everyone lit a candle.

                                                    

                                                                                                   --Marge Neufeld