About one hundred seniors attended the annual Christmas luncheon in their honor at the Fellowship Lodge on Tuesday, December 6. The atmosphere was seasonally festive. Greenery graced the center of each table, with candles flickering here and there for added effect. As kind attendants helped the guests remove their coats, the arriving seniors had to make an important decision: Where should they sit so they could talk with the greatest number of friends?

The luncheon began with a special cranberry drink, followed by a shaved Brussel sprout salad accompanied by a homemade roll. After a short time, the main course was served—an impressive beef stew with a fancy French name, “Boeuf Bourguignon,” and yummy mashed potatoes. Later, a festive-looking (and delicious) peppermint hot fudge sundae was served for dessert.

At different times as the guests were enjoying their meals, Pastor Dave Lambert presented cozy blankets to four fortunate recipients of door prizes. He also read to everyone the Christmas story from the Gospel according to Matthew. Then, directed by Matt Hanson, the seniors joined in singing a few carols, with piano and tuba accompaniment by Janice Calhoun and David Warburg.

The luncheon began and concluded with prayer. Before closing, Brother Dave let everyone know that as a small Christmas gift, a box of assorted jams would be going home with each one who attended.

There are many ways a senior might have spent the afternoon of December 6, but those who departed from their routines to attend the Christmas luncheon went home rejoicing. An afternoon of fellowship with God’s senior people, served by God’s younger people, is hard to beat. “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning” (James 1:17).