“Story as it turns out was crucial to our evolution – more so than opposable thumbs. Opposable thumbs let us hang on; story told us what to hang on to.” – Lisa Cron

Sometimes the best way to get festive – and to make ourselves clean the house – is to invite a few people over. So Wednesday morning the HMPC women’s Bible-study came to Maul-Hall for a casual party and our house put on its best face for the event.

Rebekah’s spiced tea filled the kitchen with a Christmassy aroma, the dining room table was laden with goodies and Max sat by the front door so he would not miss the chance to greet anyone who came to the house.

It’s a great group of folk and our home overflowed with stories and laughter.

Each woman in the class was asked to bring a Christmas memory to share, something special from their own history that connects them to their family, their own story and to the meaning of Christmas.

And it makes me wonder, looking at all the good people gathered around our table, if anyone is collecting all these memories to pass along to future generations? Twelve women, twelve fascinating anecdotes, twelve lives full with experiences and wisdom and many more stories to share.

“The story you often get is not the story you were chasing but it ends up being even better.” – Anthony Bourdain

We all have stories to share, and our stories deserve to be told – or maybe “released” is a better word. And, here in the faith community that surrounds Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church – we also encourage one another to see how our stories are an important element of The Greatest Story Ever Told.

And this week, with Christmas just around the corner, it’s good to remind ourselves that it is our story too.

May your story – may all our stories – always lead to Bethlehem, to the manger, to the gift that is Jesus – DEREK

God has given us a book full of stories,
Which was made for His people of old,
It begins with the tale of a garden,
And ends with the city of gold.

But the best is the story of Jesus,
Of the babe with the ox in the stall,
Of the song that was sung by the angels,
The most beautiful story of all.

There are stories for parents and children,
For the old who are ready to rest,
But for all who can read them or listen,
The story of Jesus is best.

For it tells how He came from the Father,
His far-away children to call,
To bring the lost sheep to their Shepherd—
The most beautiful story of all.
(Maria Penstone)