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John Natwick

12/23/2020

 
Song: “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam” 
 
When I was six years old, our family went to Nunda, South Dakota for Christmas with my grandparents. My grandpa was a Lutheran pastor who, after retirement, was asked to temporarily serve this tiny farming community. Nunda was very small, with a downtown that had a mercantile store, a gas station, and silos along the rail line. The church, however, served a larger farming community that converged at the old white church for Sunday services and community gatherings. 
 
I remember that Christmas well. Grandpa informed my two older sisters and me that we would be singing a song at the Christmas Eve service. I was the youngest, and the only song I really knew how to sing with my sisters was “Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam,” not a Christmas song, but Grandpa said it would be fine. 
 
My grandpa was quiet and didn’t pay much attention to us kids during the holiday. He was either in his study or in his chair, surveying the chaos that was part of a large family gathering. At dinner I sat next to Grandpa. The lights were dimmed, we all held hands, and Grandpa prayed. It was a prayer of thanks, a prayer of love, and a prayer about Jesus, the light of the world. He prayed that all of us there would spread that light and he thanked me and my sisters for doing that at the Christmas Eve service. 
 
After the prayer he squeezed my hand, bent down and winked at me! 
 
May the same prayer my grandfather prayed that long-ago Christmas Eve bless you and yours this Christmas and always. Amen.
Brody C link
5/5/2021 12:44:21 am

This was great tto read


Comments are closed.

    To the Writers

    of this devotional: 
    thank you for sharing 
    the stories from 
    your Advent and 
    Christmas journey.

    Your  courage 
    is a blessing 
    to others 
    and we pray you 
    will be blessed 
    by this as well.

    With gratitude,
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas and Intern Pastor Jeremy Hallquist

    Categories

    All
    Barbara Burandt
    Bob Burtness
    Cedric And Marlys Olson
    Conni Natwick
    Ellie Hallquist
    Jean Cook
    Jeremy Hallquist
    Jim Hecker
    John Natwick
    Karen Maher
    Kari Christianson
    Kari Osmek
    Linda Nielsen
    Lisa Sampson
    Lorie Schulstad-Werk
    Milo Christianson
    Myron Grams
    Pastor Nathan Mugaas
    Paula Donnelly
    Ron Stricker
    Ruth Lemke
    Sarah Chur
    Vicki Simpson

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  • Welcome
    • I'm New Here >
      • What we Believe
      • Our Story
    • Worship Times & Locations
    • ERLC Staff
    • LGBTQ+ Affirming >
      • Shower of Stoles Project
  • Worship
    • Sermons and Bulletins >
      • Binge the Bible
    • Baptism
    • Funerals
    • Podcasts
  • Give
  • LIFE Groups
  • Ministries
    • Children, Youth, and Family Ministry >
      • Confirmation High School Schedule
    • Adult Ministries
    • Caring Faith
    • Music Ministries
    • Mission Endowment Fund
  • Updates
    • ERLC Council >
      • Council Minutes and Annual Reports
    • ERLC Current Magazine
    • Calendar
    • Call Committee
    • Building Project Updates
    • Capital Appeal
  • Events
  • Contact Us
    • Prayer Requests
    • ERLC Staff
    • Forms >
      • Room Use Form
    • Elk River Lutheran "Powered By Love" Merchandise
    • Severe Weather Policy