Luke 2:4-7 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn…
The words of Luke 2 always seem to be the simplest words that are read in the Bible. And it is very fitting thing to hear these words multiple times throughout the Christmas season. And if you are like myself, the response to these words in your head can sometimes be lost to things such as: "Yes, yes I know the story" and "Well that was nice! Now do I have time to get to the mall after church?" or "Christmas. Yes I wonder if I’ll get better gifts than last year?"
It’s a slippery slope in the thoughts of the mind especially around this time of year with so many things to do, friends to meet up with, family gatherings to coordinate, gifts to wrap and the list goes on… Yet, when we pause to carefully digest what actually Luke was writing we find our thoughts may come up short to what the writer might have originally hoped for. In fact, I think the more we dwell on the words above, the more we appreciate how special and how important and how life changing this small paragraph is. "The story of God…becoming flesh… to become the Savior of all of mankind…and there is not even a room for him to be born in!" A much different thought than wondering about which Christmas cookies we prefer!
2011 has been a year for the record books here at Camp DeWolfe! Hundreds of volunteered hours of service, dozens of parishes reinvested in camp ministry, 17 cabins painted, a spring season of retreat nearly completely full and countless efforts by people across the Diocese to help bring to life a plan for the renewal of this great ministry. Words do not express the sincere thanks that must go to those who have donated their time and efforts to Camp DeWolfe this past year. Thank you!
2012 is already set up to be another great one for Camp DeWolfe. And there is a great eagerness and anticipation to see the potential of what has been planned, to actually come to life. If I am at all excited about seeing an "Air Conditioned Meeting Hall" (of which I am!), I have to be one million times more excited to celebrate a new beginning for all of humanity through the birth of Christ Jesus!
It is with this thought that the staff of Camp DeWolfe, wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you in 2012!
In Christ,
Matt Tees
Executive Director
