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Women in Ministry - December 2004 Issue

Unwrapping Christmas

“All I want for Christmas…” is five minutes of peace and quiet! Have you ever felt this way? The hustle and bustle of packed shopping malls with no parking spaces, elaborate meals to prepare and goodies to bake, countless gifts to buy and wrap, and visits to see loved ones can be an extra strain on any schedule.

While Christmas is a busy season for most women, for women in ministry it can be especially so. On top of all of the regular holiday activities, it’s also one of the busiest times within the church. If we’re not careful, our efforts to make the most of this meaningful season can actually cause us to lose focus in our own hearts on the reason for the season. God’s gift to us, Jesus Christ, gets buried under the wrappings of Christmas, and we fail to experience Him personally.

This issue provides reflection opportunities for women who spend “Christmas on duty.” It is our prayer that you will make a few minutes—somewhere—to stop and reflect on how you can “unwrap” Christmas once again during this holiday season.

• Hope for the Holidays
  An article by Lori O'Dea, Doctor of Ministry program coordinator at the Assemblies of God Theological Seminary, Springfield, Missouri.
  
• I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day
  Reflective Christmas carol
  
• Ministry Family Traditions
  An article by Jeanne Mayo, youth pastor at The Tabernacle, Atlanta, Georgia
  
• Christmas on Duty
  An article by Karen C. Rydwansky, senior pastor of Crossroads Worship Center in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
  
• The Birth of Christ
  An article by R. Kent Hughes, from The Gift of Christmas.
  
• Resources for Further Reflection

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