Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 2 Timothy 4:2 ESV

Often about Thanksgiving I put out a post giving advice on how to prepare a Christmas program for nursing homes. But this year the plans of mice and men have definitely gone astray in more ways than anyone could have imagined. Due to Covid-19 our world is in many ways completely out of season. Nothing works as it once did if it works at all. Whether you live here in Florida where getting into a nursing home is akin to infiltrating North Korea or in California where meeting even with family members for Thanksgiving is under siege we have a problem Houston!

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But from the many years of experience the Apostle Paul had to draw on he gives both Timothy and us a word of timely advice – “Always be ready for change” Now truthfully I really hate change especially when it comes to things like Christmas. I love the gentle drifting of snowflakes out the window (though I guess I’ve already lost that by moving South!)For me nothing says Christmas like the sound of Pat Boone singing “O Holy Night or the aroma of my wife making her annual Christmas candy. But change is on the calendar for all of us. In small part by making a general nuisance of myself on the phone to various activities directors I have learned a few things that may be of help to you if you are thinking of doing some Nursing Home outreach this year.

First, ask if there is some kind of safe setting in which you or a small group of people can do something of a Christmas program including caroling, cards or small gifts. Our small group took an offering and purchased 36 of the Large Print Advent Readers which I wrote to give out. Second be flexible with your schedules. In the past we have done Christmas caroling and or a Pageant in the early evening but as we will be outside in the parking lot this year we got in the schedule for 3 PM. Last of all as always, prepare, prepare, prepare! It will be worth it when you come to those precious 30 – 40 minutes in which to share the love of Jesus and some holiday cheer for folks who have been under virtual house arrest since March.

Be encouraged! God is still in control. We have been able to schedule meeting for two different homes and to give our books at a third. If you have any questions on anything please feel free to contact me by email @ revpete5@gmail.com or ask them here on this post. The last eight months have been a learning experience for us all. One thing that never changes no matter the circumstances is the mission to go into all the world and tell people the good news of Jesus Christ. What better time than Christmas to get on board?

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