Messy Christmas

It is no secret that life is messy. Just turn on the news and/or walk out the front door. People are recovering from natural disasters, and some are victims of war and violence. Others are just trying to make ends meet by feeding and housing their families. Sometimes life seems dark. Many people look at our children and youth and talk about how they are our future, the future of our communities, our world, and our churches. I believe they are the communities, the world, and the churches TODAY! This picture is of the gifts my mother received at her assisted living facility this past week. Gulf Breeze Middle and High School students came and sang Christmas Carols with the residents. They then handed out gifts and visited with them. They didn’t just hand them a gift and say, “Merry Christmas”, they took time to sit and visit with each resident. As we quickly approach Christmas Day, we are reminded in John 1:5, "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it." Thank you to all who encourage our children and youth to be lights that shine!