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Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1985-12-23, Page 23Blyth Christian Reformed Church HIGHWAY 4, BLYTH Rev. Roger Gelwicks WorshipServices 10:00 a.m . and 2:30 p.m. Sunday Schoo111:00 a.m. The Church of the "Back to God Hour" and "Faith 20" Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 205:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME I LIFE R. John Elliott 519-523-4323 J. Richard Elliott 15191 523-9725 GENERAL INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. Al\NFILAND ALLEY MONKTON 347-2241 BRUSSELS 887-6663 STRATFORD 271-1522 -Road building -Land clearing • -Bulldozing -Fence bottoms -Excavating & grading 30 Years experience Family Footwear Clothing & Footwear Men's, Ladies' & Boys' Wear Main St., Blyth 523-9709 -- Visa Welcome Hours Open: 6 days a week 9-6 p.m. Open Friday to 8:30 WEBSTER'S Brussels Variety Groceries, Tobacco, Health Care, Stationery & Cards OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 887-6224 •BACKHOE EXCAVATION •SNOW REMOVAL •SEPTIC INSTALLATIONS *TRENCHING *GRAVEL TRUCK Equipped with 2 way radio for fast service. RANDY] 482 COCK William E. Hallahan and Sons Construction Ltd. R.R. 3, Blyth 523-9339 ELLIOTT INSURANCE BROKERS LTD. INSURANCE IN ALL BRANCHES Established 1910 BL1 TH, ONTARIO NOM 1110 519-523-4481 LIVESTOCK MORTALITY INSURANCE Murray Siddall, C.L.U. FARM -AUTO-HOMEOWNERS-COMMERCIAL LIFE-DISABILITY-ANNUITIES THE CITIZEN, MONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 1985. PAGE 23. From the Minister's Study Christmas is an affair of the heart BY REV. ROBIN LYONS, ST. JOHN'S ANGLICAN CHURCH, BRUSSELS I am certain that clergy are not alone in often finding themselves the unintentional catalyst of other people's embarrassment, but it does frequently seem that merely by virtue of our vocation a clergyman can unwilling elicit blushing apologies and explana- tions from truly innocent people. I remember just such a situation during the Christmas season a year ago-- while driving between two of my three churches on a Sunday morning in Advent (the pre-Christ- mas Church season) I pulled up and passed a slow moving pick-up truck which was laden with a huge Christmas tree. In theprocess of passing, Iglanced atthe truck's driver and sure enough, it was a gentleman who was noticeably absent from his usual pew in the church I had just left. I could see the look of guilty embarrassment creep across his face even as we exchanged waves. (I learned later that he had a commitment to attend church out of town that evening and had decided to get his tree that morning because it was his last opportunity.) Never-the-less, and certainly without any fault on the part of my unlucky parishioner, that encount- er caused me to once again note an unhealthy syndrome that regularly besets too many of us during this season -- I call it the 'Christmas Complaint'. It is an ailment marked by a fixation on the purchase of 'just the right gift'; on preparing exorbitant Christmas meals (you know they're good only when there is more than you can possibly eat!); as well as an. unnatural preoccupation with the_ number, size, and effect of strate- gically placed decorations (like Christmas trees). The most apparent symptom of this unfortunate ailment is a tremendously high anxiety level combined with an unnerving sense of emptiness--classic signs of a Christmas disorientation. What has this to do with that truant- parishioner-driven, Christmas tree-carrying truck? Simply this: too many of us are too concerned with the outward preparations for Christmas and neglect the all- important inward preparations that really and effectively make Christmas atime of joy, peace, and love. We place priority on the "Christ- mas trees" of our preparation and not the preparation of our hearts and minds for the gift of Christ -- a preparation that many of us find in the Advent exercises of our faith communities. Such a misplaced priority is sad because it repre- sents an unconscious surrender to the pressure applied during this season by materialistic interests -- interests which profit by convinc- ing us thatwe are less than what we truly and fully are. Tragically, when we fall victim to this 'misplaced priority', our celebra- tion of Christmas, with its intended powerful message of divine and human love, is cheapened and disappointing. The outward ex- pressions can all be there in the form of gifts, glitter, and food, but they are meaningless if the inner peace, joy, and contentment are absent! Christmas is more than what we have orwhatwe do, it is what we are and what we feel. Unless the peace and joy and love that are the bywords of Christmas are a part of our inner preparation, unless our hearts are open to experience the selfless giving seen in the birth of Christ, our Christmas celebration is nothing more than empty and mechanical habit. We must now be preparing ourselves inwardly to insure that every gift given and received, every delicious meal prepared and shared, every decoration placed and enjoyed carries the true and abiding message of love first conveyed by angelic voice so many, many years ago -- a message equally fresh and relevant today: "Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people. Today in the city of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2: 10-11). Perhaps we need to relearn with Scrooge that Christmas is not merely an excuse to party, nor merely a good reason to holiday, nor just a convenient rationale for getting and doing what we like. Christmas is an affair of the heart! Crafts with class Ceramics Weaving Wrought iron Custom firing and greenware Kit's Cottage Walton -- 887-6643 Tues. - Fri. 10-6, Sat. 9-3 As your hands work at making this a bountiful Christmas, may your heart work at making it a truly meaningful one! Merry Christ- mas! Use Citizen classifieds Saxon Software MICRO COMPUTER CONSULTANTS Software Training, Software & Hardware Sales For Busi- ness & Home CONTACT NORM SAXON 519-887-6032 BUSINESS DIRECTORY B & G ELECTRIC Plumbing and Heating Brussels, Ont. NOG 1H0 BILLAITCHISON 887-6747 Thompson's Meat Market Brussels Fresh Meat - Freezer Orders Custom Butchering by appointment Call Brussels 887-6294 Bill Bromley Electric LONDESBORO PHONE 523-4506 1-800-265-9255 I .D. #3648 Brad Bromley Brian Bromley 523-9308 523-9483 24 Hour Emergency Service HOME RENOVATIONS AND GENERALBUILDING CONTRACTORS Brussels and area 887-6408 H. Ten Pas CONSTRUCTION LTD. BUILDERS SINCE 1956 ENTERPRISES CUSTOM SILK SCREENING & CRESTING •SPORTSWEAR •CRESTS •TROPHIES •CAPS •T-SHIRTS •BANNERS WROXETER, ONTARIO NOG 2X0 GORDON KASTER 335-3136 or 335-3671 [res.] Andy Cummings Auctioneering Service •Estate clearing auctions •Farm auctions •Properties sold by auction *You the customer set price paid to auctioneer *Andy was raised on a dairy farm so understands both rural and community life •My goal is to satisfy you the customer Call 356-9016 or 291-3319