Groth Report December 2009

From the Word

God so loved . . . that He GAVE.  .  John 3:16

You’ve probably all heard the familiar phrase, “Let’s Keep Christ in Christmas.”  Maybe someone has asked you the question, “How do you keep Christmas?” Perhaps it is because of those comments that the song title, “What if We Gave Christmas Away this Year” tantalized my mind.  Before I’d even heard the rest of the lyrics, my mind began racing. What did it mean to “give Christmas away?”  Of course, I thought of all the charities that made it a practice to give things away at this time of year.  I thought about the many people who gave gifts of obligation where love was the furthest thing away from their heart and mind.  Finally I settled on thinking about the greatest gift of Christmas, Jesus our Savior.  I couldn’t wait to think about how God the Father gave up His very son for us. So what do you think?  How could you give away what Christmas is really all about? 

Michael West’s book gives 101 ways to “give Christmas away.”  Some are simple like, “holding the door for a harried mother, or writing a letter to a special friend.”  Others are complex, like forgiving someone before they ask for it, or doing acts of kindness without being noticed, thanked or rewarded for them. I have to say this simple thought has added a new dimension to Christmas for me.  What it asked us to do is really to be authentic Christians in Words and DEEDS.  How about it???  How will you give Christmas away this year?  What might happen if we did just that???  To me it’s a challenging, exciting thought. I wonder if you’ll pursue it with us?

So where are the Groths “giving away Christmas this year?”  We are back and settled in our home in Lexington.  We are so thankful to have a place to call our own and also to be close to friends and family.  They have “given Christmas away” to us through their caring prayers and support.  Thankfully Jeanette has a job at the university coordinating and teaching in a Master’s with Initial Certification program.  This program enables people who have undergraduate degrees to take education courses and graduate with a MA in education and be ready to teach in one year.  One class she has taught is preparation for students to work and study abroad.  It was great “give Christmas away” by having these young people over to our home to provide them with a bit of home and encouragement before their January departures.  Faculty associations are another opportunity to “give Christmas away” to some who have forgotten what Christmas is really all about.

Blessedly Chuck is also “giving Christmas away” as an intentional interim pastor in Brownstown, Indiana.  His job is to minister and give the wonderful message of hope to a congregation of 800 there.  So he is busy doing chapels, Wednesday evening services, taking care of Sunday and holiday services and just being all the things that a loving, caring pastor is. (Says his wife!!!)  Largely our job together there is “giving away Christmas” on a daily basis by loving and caring for these brothers and sisters in Christ. He will continue his interim training and will be certified for this specialized ministry in April. We both do a bit of commuting between our home in Lexington and a nice apartment in Brownstown.  So if you want to come and help us “give Christmas away” we’d love to have you.

Kristyn and Mark are “giving Christmas away” in Minneapolis.  Kristyn works at an assisted living facility, which gives her countless opportunities to “give Christmas away” every day of the year.  She still plays her violin in the Exultate Chamber Orchestra and also as part of her church worship team.  Mark keeps flying and helping Kristyn as number one volunteer at her facility.  He’s even convinced Kristyn that fish and fishing are a-okay!!

We are so blessed to be able to “give away Christmas” with our children and grandchildren this year.  Jason and Cara live about fifteen minutes from us so Nana and Papa see them often.  It is a joyful privilege to occasionally do a bit of childcare, see their programs and even have them over for some special time together.  Jason has been studying hard, working as a pharmaceutical rep for Lily and being a Dad that finds opportunities everywhere to “give Christmas away.” Cara, his wife is just as busy as a pharmacist and Mom.

Kara and Matt live in Cold Spring, KY.  Kahlan and William add an extra dose of JOY to our life.  Kara is “giving away Christmas” as a stay at home mom who enjoys her Bow-peep bow business (check it out on the web) while Matt is a busy electrician. 

The Groth Clan all spent Thankgiving together in Gatlinburg.  How special it is to have the whole family together and especially the excitement of five grandchildren between the ages of three and six. Plenty to be thankful for here!!!

We’d love to hear from you.  It would be great to know how each of you is “giving away Christmas.”  The love of the Christ Child is the positively best thing we can give to you and all this season. It grows in meaning for all as it is given away.

Sharing with you our love and His as we “give Christmas away.”

 

Chuck and Jeanette Groth

What if we all just give this Christmas away?
If there’s love in your heart, don’t let it stay there.
Give this Christmas away
And your life will be changed by the gift you receive,
When you give this Christmas away.

It’s feeding the hungry, serving the poor
It’s telling the orphan, You’re not forgotten anymore.
It’s doing what love does even when no one’s watching you.
For God so loved the world that He gave us all His Son,
So we could be his hands, his feet, his love . . . his love.

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