The Christmas Church: A Story of Meeting-Place-Moments

At the end of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Scrooge pledges to honor Christmas and keep it all year long, which is quite the reversal from his self-centered, grumpy, humbug way-of-life. The Christmas Church is the story of Christmas meeting-place-moments that have happened along the way at the First Baptist Church of Littleton. They are threshold and holy moments: times betwixt and between what was and what will be, times where God clearly shows up and is working in ways and places that people often miss. In each moment, there are signposts that point towards God such as a mother and child, a dog, a tree, tears, music and a song. They illuminate the presence of God as those moments happen, not only at Christmas, but all year long. The stories begin on Christmas Eve and continue with a story for each month of the calendar year. Following each chapter there are reflections which encourage the reader to ponder and discover their own meeting-place-moments between heaven and earth. This book is a gentle invitation to notice and linger within those threshold moments. Keep the eyes of your heart open and you will find yourself in the midst of a meeting-place-moment. Watch, stay awake, look and listen expectantly. Be alert for a signpost that points towards the presence of God. Be thankful. The Lord is near. "What a gracious offering from a great pastor who knows how to notice. What she notices time and time again is the relentless presence of a loving God in it all and through it all. This is a holy book dripping with wonder and hope." Rev. Dr. Kirk Byron Jones, pastor, teacher, and author of Rest in the Storm: Self-Care Strategies for Clergy and Other Caregivers, and Say Yes to Grace: How to Burn Bright Without Burning Out. "In Spirit-filled, engaging and profound stories, the author (Pastor Debbie) captures the essence of a Christmas Church and gives us all a profusion of thoughtful questions and reflections to enrich our Spiritual journey. An importan

Rev. Deborah J. Blanchard ministered at First Baptist Church of Littleton MA, for fifteen years, and is the manager for blues guitarist Ronnie Earl and his band, the Broadcasters. She is a Fellow of the College of Preachers at Washington’s National Cathedral, a graduate of Andover Newton Theological School, and Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA.