The Nativity of our Lord 2007

Get out the shovel, Krestick’s annual epistle of exaggeration, hyperbole, embellishment, overstatement and literary embroidery has arrived. After all I am a preacher!

	Perhaps ever after it will be known as the year of “The Wedding”, although I somehow doubt it. Throughout 07 our family has focused on the nuptials of Lydia Ruth Krestick and Steven Larry Fischer – referred to far and wide as “the Fischsticks”.  It happened on September 29th @ Redeemer Lutheran Church, Waterloo. The Lector was the Godfather Rev. Dennis Putzman and the Officiant was moi.  Although Steve looks like a big strong fellow carrying little tiny Lydia over the threshold caused his previously repaired hernia to happen again – only worse.
So the soon to be Dr. Fischer had to write his day long comprehensives during his recovery. Uncomfortable to say the least. Lovely Lydia has completed all her work on a Masters of French Translation and will attend her convocation on June 6/ 08 in our Nation’s Capital. They live not too far from both their sets of parents and I will consult with Larry and Janice to determine if they see them as little as we do. By the by the Bride was beautiful and the groom was there.
	Andrew and Jennifer were also at “The Wedding” and their help to the happy couple was superb and above and beyond. Did you know that Andrew is a Chicago Bears fan? How he came by that strange affliction, I will never know. Jennifer is mov’in on up within CCAC. Apparently work is not exciting enough so she dabbles at another place which assists people in preparing meals to take home. Andrew had laser eye surgery and now declares Jennifer to be even more beautiful than when he first met her. In our prayers we daily thank Him and intercede for these two lovely people who God has granted us to love.
All the Jacksons helped out with the Wedding. Benjamin and Jacob resplendent in their Tuxedos were reluctant to cover them with acolyte albs in order to assist at the Holy ceremony. But they would do it for Auntie Lydia and Uncle Steve. Andrew served as sergeant at arms for the ceremony and Lisa, the consummate big sister, was a bride’s maid. Their labour toward making the big day go so well was proficient. In addition to being the wonderful father of our grandsons Andrew is a dedicated, delightful and diligent husband and an attentive son. I saw Lisa smiling at her sister’s wedding in the way she smiled as a little girl and my heart sang for joy at her beauty and grace. Like her siblings she has grown into a strong and spiritually grounded adult.
	Mc Master University has secunded (which means that they pay CCAC for her time) Mary Elizabeth to teach third year BScN students. All her life she has been getting ready for this. If you have glanced at these letters over the years they contain a capsule curriculum vitae showing how she has prepared for this next adventure. In effect she holds three positions: Case Manager at CCAC, Program coordinator at Conestoga College and instructor for Mc Master Nursing. (Late breaking news for 2008 – Liz has another secondment to Waterloo Wellington Coordinator for the HOBIC project (Health Outcomes for Better Information and Care).)  She also still holds on tight to the very important title of Mrs. me, for which I am thankful. Really enjoys doing what she does and I am certain that is what it’s all about, don’t you agree?

Don’t we look happy in this picture? Do you think it has anything to do with the last one leaving home? Of course I would never say or think anything like that. We are happy because we were having a great time. It was a swell party and a good time was had by all. The wedding was not the only thing that happened this year as there were plenty of other happen stances but, I am sure that you are already being kind enough reading thus far. So I will not tell you how fantastic and beautiful, handsome and intelligent as well as talented and erudite everyone presents in our family. After all that would be blowing my own horn and you all know that I am too humble to do such a thing.

At Redeemer Lutheran Church which all the family call their spiritual home we have a life size crèche on the front lawn. Someone swiped the manger and the baby Jesus. Just the other day a fellow accosted me in front of the grocery store and asked me if I had found Jesus. I assumed that he knew that I was the Pastor of Redeemer and said sadly, “no we haven’t found Him but not to worry Mark was able to copy Him from a picture and Wayne is making our own new Saviour.  This time we will make Him secure and no one will be able to pinch Him from us. I’m sure that whoever took Him needed Him more than we did. I pray they are happy with their Jesus.” With a look on his face that I can’t begin to describe he started to say something like, “But, but you can’t just construct an idol - Jesus is for everyone……” And then he threw his arms in the air and walked away mumbling to himself.  Can’t imagine what the fellow was going on about, can you?

Aren’t you glad that no one can take the real Jesus away from you? Christ Jesus the King of the universe and the creator of all things, your own Saviour was born in a manger just for you. A King and a bunch of other ne'er-do-well characters tried to do worse than take Him away and right from the beginning to kill Him and finally succeeded – or so they thought. The Babe in the manger was delivered to this world from heaven above at the specific announcement of the Father and for the express purpose of our living forever. What a Gift, what a Joy, what an answer to all the questions of all time. May the Holy Christ who has sought you out and found you and saved you from a sure and certain eternal death continue to shower His marvellous love on you and all yours!

Rejoicing in His days

Elizabeth & Robert