Lucknow Sentinel, 2009-12-16, Page 17The race. is on toward Christmas Day
REV. RITA
KLEIN-
GELTINK
Lucknow
Community
Christian
Reformed Church
On your mark, get
GO!
And the race is on
the race toward
Dec. 25. My hus-
band and I were in
the States for a vaca-
tion at the end of
November while the
Americans celebrat-
ed Thanksgiving.
Thanksgiving Day
is followed by
"Black Friday," the
biggest shopping
day of the year.
Stores opened early
with door -crasher
specials. This year
some shops opened
as early as 12 .a.m.
And with that rather
unceremonious
event, the starting
gun was fired and
the Christmas sea-
son had begun.
Radio stations began
playing non-stop
carols and every
store, from the
Piggly Wiggly to
Home' Depot, greet-
ed shoppers with
Christmas displays
at the front6door.
Closer to home,
we have our own
traditions with
which to formally
begin the holiday
season local Santa
Claus parades dotted
our communities on
that last weekend in
November, and the
annual Lucknow
Carolfest, held on
the : first Wednesday
of December, put us
all in the Christmas
mood no one com-
plained that the
event took place
without snow.
In
our churches the
advent wreaths have
been pulled out of
the closets and out-
fitted with new'can-
dies while those of
us who are especial-
ly astute have hung
To our customers, neighbours,
associates and friends, we, extend our
warm wishes for a truly satisfying and
inspirational Christmas season.
For your support we feel deeply blessed,
and look forward to your
continued friendship.
3Qth F* 3'ow, 3oodi
our Christmas lights
on our houses (knew
I should have left
last year's up the
entire summer!).
The Christmas
season, despite our
vows to spend, eat,
and drink less, com-
municates a sense of
urgency. Something
big is coming, and
you'd better be
ready. Our calen-
dars - are filling up
with parties - family,
church, friends. And
while we anticipate
a few silent, - holy
nights gazing upon
thetvvinlding lights
of the tree, perhaps
the haste and sense
of urgency isn't such
a bad
thing
The race is on.
Can you feel the
excitement? You
want to be ready.
When Jesus, the
promised Messiah,
arrived that first
Christmas day, no
one was ready. The
. starting gun to begin
the countdown to
Christmas day had
been fired such a
long time ago -: the
prophet Isaiah had
announced, "for to
us a child is born, to
us a son is given...
and he will be called
Wonderful
Counsellor, Mighty
God, Everlasting
Father, Prince of
Peace" , (Isaiah 9:6).
We start counting
down . when there
are 20 • shopping
days left 'til
Christmas; imagine
a countdown that
lasted 700 years.
Christ's -birth may
have slow in
coming, but God
knew that some-
thing had to happen,
and fast. It wasn't
long after people fell
into sin - probably
only moments -
before God put his
plan into action.
Already in the
Garden of Eden the
birth of . Jesus was
foretold: the off-
spring of the woman
(that would be
Jesus) would crush
the head of the evil
one. The entire
Bible communicates
this sense of urgency
Jesus is ,coming, so
get ready!
On Christmas
Day we celebrate
God's urgent plan a
plan to bring peace
on earth. If you get
swept up in that
urgency, that's a
good thing. Because
some day soon,
Jesus is going to
return. And that's a
party. you won't
want to miss.
Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, December 16, 2009 - Page 17
Lucknow-Huron Veterinary Services
519-528-3737 or 1-888-838-6279
Merry Christmas
and Happy New Year
from your friends
at the clinic.
Friends caring for Friends!
,PWARW,AIIM - IM7
riffs
bq
6
{ With gratitude, we extend our best wishes fo
k:. a happy and healthy holiday season . to each .Y;.: • `.
and every one of you. Your business is always
appreciated Thank you for visiting us this past
year. We look forward to seeing you in 2010.
ALLAN, STEYE,LARRY, & STAFF
•
Every member of our team wouid like to thank all.
of those who have pulled so hard .for us this year.
Ies been a privilege and a 'pleasure serving you.
We look forward to seeing youagain in the new year.
Whether you spend Christmas at home or away, may the true spirit of
the season reside in your heart for each and everyday.
For the privilege of serving you we offer you our thanks and best wish-
es for a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful year.
from all the staff at .....
HODGINS HOME HARDWARE
Lucknpw .... _ . 518-5;