Christmas is a magical time with colorful decorations,
music, and gifts. When I was a child I loved the holidays. I remember waking up early and calling my
grandparents to hurry over so we could open presents! Mom and Dad would do their best to keep the
children busy until everyone arrived. After
our morning around the Christmas tree there was a feast at the table and then
the kids were out the door to play. I
was told the adults were watching football, but I think there was a lot of
napping going on too!
As a single adult my Christmas looks very different. Most Christmas mornings I sleep in late since there
is no reason to rise early. I watch
parades on television and think about what I will make for lunch. I get a telephone call or two from one of my single
friends to wish me a Merry Christmas. Sometimes
I am invited to my sister’s home late in the evening to spend some time with
her family.
Christmas has become a lonely day for many single adults.
Christians have a responsibility to reach out and care for
all the members of our faith family.
Christmas is a time for family, but for those without family near them
the church becomes the only family they have during the holidays. Our church had a special holiday session to
talk with people that have lost a spouse through divorce. I just sighed and wondered why they didn’t
realize every single adult in the church had the same issues as the people who
had gone through divorce. We are
alone. All our married friends go off
with their families and even a lot of our single friends go home to parents or
their children come home to them.
I want to encourage you to look around your church this
Sunday and identify your single adults.
Look for men and women ages 30 – 60 years old that do not have local
family. These are the people that are
not young enough to be in the “Singles” program at your church and they are not
old enough to be active in your Senior Adult program. They are the often over-looked group in our
churches.
Is there room at your table to invite two of these people to
join you on Christmas day? When invited
to your home they may feel awkward and decline, but if you have a relationship with
these single adults it will feel natural to share this special day with your
family. Perhaps you can make it a goal
for 2014 to build relationships with some of the single adults in your church
so next Christmas they will accept the invitation.
Parker Ministries
Are you a single adult? At Parker Ministries we understand what it
means to be a single adult in today’s family oriented church. Come join us and be
part of a community of single adults involved in many ministries throughout
Dallas and Ellis Counties!
Join us at Encounter:
Parker Ministries is designed to cultivate Christian community. Check back regularly to learn more about our
monthly gathering for fellowship, worship, and the Word. Whether it's hosting something at a house ,
meeting up for a movie, or seeing any number of the great sights in the area we
are here to support you as we take the Gospel out to our community.
