‘Tis the season..

I am reproducing my article for the newsletter of Bethel Baptist Church, Ingleside, Texas, today. Here ’tis:
Thanksgiving is a wonderful day. It certainly was a great day at our house. Almost everyone in our family was here, and pitched in to help with cooking and chores. Everybody seemed to be happy and I think we all enjoyed our time together.
Christmas is just around the corner, and in most Baptist churches this time of year brings an emphasis upon missions. For many years, we have prayed for the missionaries and sent them a special offering known now as the Lottie Moon Christmas Offering for International Missions.
Many churches also observe Advent, lighting candles, representing hope, love, joy and peace, on each of four Sundays. A fifth candle represents Christ — his miraculous birth and mission to bring salvation to the world. Diane Perry will be lighting a candle each Sunday.
May each of you have a joyous Christmas season this year.