Each year my wife and I as a gift to our churches, cater a special dinner for each of them. The Christmas dinner is by far the most difficult, yet it is the most satisfying. We transform our church and fellowship hall into a Bethlehem scene.

Simple lighted trees some as tall as 9 feet tall bathe the room in soft light. A cross and Manger offers a solemn entrance, and a 50 foot mural of a Bethlehem landscape replete with bright stars covers two walls in the hall. Candles reflecting off the windows adds the finishing touch.

The event included the most amazing piano playing by my friend Dr. Calvin Taylor. Interspersed around the music, Christmas stories and 3 minute video vignettes of the Christ child tug on the heart strings.

The end of the evening is made complete with a simple communion service and a small gift by the hosts. No one is to help cleanup, we want the peace of the evening to accompany all attendees as they leave for home.

We have included some pictures from our Friday night affair.