December, 2004 Here's My Heart... I well remember the first time Anita and I saw the town of Bethlehem, placing our feet on the ground of the same area where Jesus had been born 2000 years before. To say it was a thrill would be an understatement indeed. It was the middle of the afternoon as we approached the town square, where we could see The Church Of The Nativity (the "traditional" place where it was said Jesus was born), and it was obvious that things had changed. We were greeted by armed Palestinian soldiers, friendly but firm. The noise was not that of busy shoppers, or the "bleating" of sheep and goats, but of honking horns, the engines of tour busses, and the voices of street vendors, peddling their trinkets. But, when we stepped foot into that quiet, solemn cathedral, and silently made our way down the narrow steps to the place where maybe, just maybe, Mary had given birth to our Savior, oh, how everything changed. There was a sense of awe, wonder, and an awareness that we were in a special place. It had to have been similar on that first Christmas evening, when shepherds made their way to a stable where they found Mary, Joseph, and a tiny baby, wrapped in a crude piece of cloth, lying in a cattle feeding trough. There was an obvious sense of awe, wonder, and an awareness that they, too, were in a special place. In a few days, believers around the world will celebrate His birthday once again. In our hearts and minds, with singing carols and musical dramas, with the giving of gifts, we go back to the town of Bethlehem, and re-live it again. But, as I contemplate the observance of this Christmas, I ask myself, is there still a sense of awe, wonder, and awareness that we are celebrating the birthday of the Savior Of The World? I hope so. I really hope so. From Anita, Paul, Michelle, David, Amy, Joshua, Donna, Jacob, Baylee, Collin, Kaylee, Mackenzie, Katie, Emma, and me (that's all the Claytons, I think)....MERRY CHRISTMAS! May this be your most blessed one ever. God bless you. Jim Clayton, Senior Pastor