"Merry Christmas - in July!"
Movies, music, TV specials all focused on Christmas - but in July! Don't get me wrong. I LOVE CHRISTMAS - and everything about it. They are filming a Christmas movie, right now, in downtown Franklin. I have caught myself recently watching more than one Hallmark Christmas movie. And, this morning as I am writing this article I am listening to Christmas Jazz. Again, I LOVE CHRISTMAS and everything about it. And, I have always been intrigued with "Christmas in July ''. So, I decided to research and here is what I found: Christmas in July is believed to have originated at Keystone Camp, a camp for girls, in Brevard, North Carolina in 1933. This was the idea of the camp co-founder Fannie Holt. She wanted to give the campers a fun and creative way to celebrate Christmas during their summer stay. So they celebrated on July 24 and 25 - fake snow, a decorated tree, exchanging gifts, and even a visit from Santa.
Another fun fact, many folks in the Western Southern Hemisphere, such as Australia, will celebrate Christmas in July because it is in the middle of their winter and is usually one of the coldest months of the year. (Their Christmas in December is during summer.) This celebration has grown over the years and is a fun way to extend the festive spirit even in the middle of the summer.
When you think about it, we, as Christ-followers, should have the excitement, anticipation and especially the joy and love that most of us experience during Christmas. We seem to be kinder, more patient, more forgiving, happier, more fun, and joyful. So, since we personally know the "Reason for the Season" should we not live this way - all the time? Think of how awesome the world, and even your own life, would and could be. So, let's do it! Let's make a genuine effort to be joyful, loving, caring, giving, patient, and let the "Spirit of the Season" be seen through what we say, how we treat others, and what we do. So, Merry Christmas!
By the way, Keystone Camp for girls, founded in 1916, is 108 years old, and is still going strong in Brevard, NC. If you are not familiar with Brevard, it is a beautiful area located in Pisgah National Forest of the Great Smoky Mountains. It is known as "the Land of the Waterfalls" with more than 250 waterfalls in the area.
Summer is fastly fading. Teachers start back to school this coming week, and students follow a week later on August 5. So Ms. Patti and I decided to host a fun, end of summer, party for our FCC children. This Saturday, August 3, we are going to have a wet and wild time. We hope to have water games, a giant water slide, pizza, and "The Trough" which is a huge ice cream sundae. All FCC children, their families, and their leaders are invited to join us for this fun time!
Also, there are a few. ministry opportunities currently available. First, speaking of our children, we are needing more volunteers to work with our Children's Ministry in Children's Worship. We are looking for volunteers to also work with our older children - who are now Youth. Finally, we could use a few more abled bodies for our Water Team (or River Rats). If you are interested or would help in any of these, please let Pastor Lonnie know. Thanks!
Sunday we will continue to look at the book of Romans in Bible Study. In Worship we will continue our study of Joseph, Dysfunction to Destiny - the Cloak. I hope to see you there. FYI: there are only 150 days till Christmas. And Always Remember...
You ARE Loved!
Pastor Lonnie
"More in '24"
(You can reach Pastor Lonnie by calling or text 615-496-2502 or send an email to lonniecastle@gmail.com)