Sorry I missed you last week. I tried to find time to write my column but couldn’t. I hope you had a happy and relaxing Thanksgiving.

First, I need to correct myself. Last month I thanked Jim Kunselman and Walter Brocklehurst of the East Fallowfield Township for building the new Fallowfield United Methodist Church parking lot along Laird Road. Kevin Kean and Larry Osborne actually built the lot. Sorry Kevin and Larry!

Sandra Ghost’s column, “The Grinch Did Not Steal Christmas” last week stirred my memory. When I was a first grader at Conneaut Lake Elementary School, way back in 1984, I first heard the 1962 Christmas carol “Do You Hear What I Hear” by Noel Regney and Gloria Shayne Baker. I didn’t recognize the tune, but it captivated me from the first note. The melody soothed me, but the lyrics made my spine tingle. I couldn’t figure out why, until I realized that the song was about Jesus. We were singing about Jesus in school! My music teacher had snuck Jesus into her class. Suddenly the whole room seemed brighter.

I was fortunate to be raised in a Christian home. I’ve attended church for most of my life. But even as a seven-year-old, I noticed that people didn’t talk about Jesus in school. I had no idea who Madeline O’Hare was, but I knew Jesus wasn’t welcome in the classroom. My former pastor, The Reverend Doctor Fred Monk said once that Jesus is a gentleman. He won’t force himself into anyone’s heart: he has to be invited.

Jesus says in Revelation 3:20, “’Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me’” (NKJV).

Since Jesus won’t force himself into anyone’s heart, he won’t break down the doors of our schools. But if we invite him into our schools by praying for our children, their teachers, administrators, and board members, he, being a gentleman, will gladly return to our schools. Prayer groups like Moms in Touch International pray for school children every week. Won’t you please pray for them, too? I know Jesus would love to get a Christmas present from us this year -- the gift of our prayers for his return to the school system.

Do you like watching children’s Christmas programs? Then join us on December 20, at 10 a.m. at Fallowfield United Methodist Church. Directors Joyce Moore and Joan Louden are helping the Bible Zone kids practice a Christmas poem and some Christmas carols.

Are you missing a loved one this Christmas season? If so, please consider coming to Healing Hearts. This group met on December 1 and will meet again at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15. Pastor Karen Gray of Fallowfield United Methodist counsels the bereaved at the parsonage. Pastor Gray is a gifted counselor.

December 6 was the second week of Advent. Churches typically light the second purple candle this Sunday. Advent is a season of preparing our hearts for Jesus’ birthday on Christmas. Please join us at Fallowfield United Methodist or find another local church where you feel the Holy Spirit’s presence. I’m sure they’d love to meet you.

Have a great week. Blessings!