Merry Christmas to all

Hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas. As a special treat, we wanted to let you see what we have affectionately nicknamed "the Christmas garlic clove," a rather large tree outside of the Cullman Shopping Center that is festively decorated for Christmas.

I've survived my first Christmas Eve as a pastor, which featured the second shortest sermon I've ever given, as well as tripping in front of 90% of the congregation while holding a lit candle (at least it was lit, before I tripped). My parents just left after their fourth church service of the day, heading back to Birmingham. Amanda's family will be coming in tomorrow. We've had a great (although tiring) Christmas so far. We pray that each of you are blessed this Christmas as you're surrounded by friends and family, and that you can realize the miracle that God became flesh at Christmas. Merry Christmas, y'all.

if looks could kill . . .

Breaking news - a mass murder was averted this afternoon at the Cullman Post Office when news came in that looks, in fact, cannot kill, thus thwarting the efforts of one Amanda von Herrmann to obliterate the entire staff with the look typically reserved for Peter when he embarrasses her in a sermon. Hopefully we will have comments from Mrs. von Herrmann in the near future.

Bizarre compliment

"Do you go to church?"
"Yes."
"You smell like it."

This was an actual conversation that took place between me and a first grader at Cullman Primary School last week while I was tutoring her. I hope most of you know I was not the one talking about smelling like church, telling the child she smelled like church.

So I'm not sure why she asked if I go to church, and I'm really not sure why she thinks I smelled like church, or even what she thinks church smells like. I do think that it is kind of cool though. I'd like to think that being "like church" emanates from all of us - that people can just tell that we are Christians by the kind things we do, by our loving demeanor.

I bet she didn't think I smelled like church today, though. I had to be more mean today when she wouldn't pay attention and sit down.

In all seriousness, I hope you will pray for the children we tutor. They are children of all races who are having trouble and are behind in school. Some of them don't hear English at home, some of them have parents who don't or can't help them with their homework, some of them have parents who don't make sure they have breakfast before they go to school, and some of them may even have parents who physically abuse them.

I know I can't imagine what it is like to go to school hungry or hurting or not understanding English, much less try to sit still and learn something when all I can think about is "when is snack time?" or "will mommy beat me when I get home this afternoon?" or "what did the teacher just say? I can't pronounce words like that." I know having the tutoring program helps, and I know that the breakfast program our church sponsors that gives a good breakfast to the children who are there early enough helps, but I just know that it isn't perfect. The breakfast program and the tutoring doesn't help the child as much if the parents won't get them to school in time for breakfast and then the child is hungry and can't pay attention during tutoring. so please remember children like these in your prayers, as well as the teachers and administrators who have to work with them and who try to help them.

P.S. You smell like church.