December 2004

Christmas at New BeginningsBy Rev. Doug Bode

You may ask what Christmastime is like at New Begin-nings. Come inside and take a look!

Through the large windows in front of our apartment build-ing you can see our well-decorated Christmas tree whichsits on the landing between the middle and upper levels.Some of the decorations were made by our residents, andmany were generously donated. A few of the residents alsoset tabled-sized Christmas trees intheir apartment.

In the Commons – our shared liv-ing and eating area – sits anotherChristmas tree as well as decorationson the window ledges including a na-tivity set, to especially remind us ofthe sacred aspect of the Christmasholiday. Leading up to a Christiancelebration of Christmas is our Ad-vent preparation. In our devotions wetry to stress why we observe Christ-mas. There are visual aids like a wallhanging we use to show especially theresidents’ children the “real reason forthe season.”

Since our girls have a very limited amount of money tospend, we are thankful for the donations of gifts they re-ceive for themselves and their children. Usually the weekbefore Christmas one of our evening meals is a pizza party,followed by children’s squeals and residents’ grins as theyopen their gifts.

One of the things often conspicuous in our residents’ livesis the absence of family traditions. Recently Charlene, theNew Beginnings house mother, made cookies with the girlsand realized that not one of them had ever made cookiesfrom scratch before! So we try to teach them some familyChristmas traditions like singing Christmas carols, bakingcookies, and making candy. To show them they don’t haveto spend much money and still be able to give gifts to others,

stamping and tole-paint-ing are favorite activitiesin the weeks leading upto the holidays.

On Christmas Eveand Christmas Daymost of the residentsspend time with theirfamily and friends. Ifthey have nowhere togo, the houseparentstake them along tochurch and include themin their own Christmascelebration.

All too soon theChristmas decorations come down again. But the real andlasting significance of Christmas is something we hope staysplanted in their hearts and becomes increasingly evident intheir families’ lives. It’s like the old song goes, “To God bethe glory, great things He has done!”

Will the gifts ever stop coming? Yes – when God transfersus from grace to glory. Until then, we can’t help but thankour God for His continuing and amazing grace. He camedown from heaven as a newborn babe to rescue all who areweary and worn in sin. We rejoice in His appearance as thegreatest Christmas Gift this world has ever received.

We also rejoice with and thank you, our Christian read-ers, who celebrate Christmas year-round by supporting thework of love carried on at New Beginnings – A Home forMothers with your prayers and donations.

God bless you all!

From Washington to Florida, from California to NewHampshire, and from Brazil to Zambia – they keep com-ing. From family names ranging from A to Z – they keepcoming. From people who are as regular as clockwork tothose who are first-timers – they keep coming. From a youngman who wrote after his birthday party: “Instead of birth-day presents, my friends brought money for you. Here is$100. My family is praying for you.” – to church groupsand individuals sending gifts – they keep coming. With no-tations ranging from “in memory of...” to “on the occasionof...” – they keep coming. In amounts ranging from $1 cashto larger donations – they keep coming. From items likeclothing to quilts to candy and toys – they keep coming.With greetings like “God bless you for your work” or “We’rekeeping you in our prayers” – they keep coming.

The donations and support sent to New Beginnings – AHome for Mothers keep coming.

Will they continue to keep coming? There is no logicalexplanation for the continuing donations to New Beginnings,other than perhaps the emotional appeal and gratification ofhelping babies and mothers in need. Much greater than thatis the fact that each donor possesses something that keepson coming to them. Far surpassing New Beginnings’ needsis the rich and amazing grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Don’tcount out the Father’s love that came down at Christmasand the powerful working of the Holy Spirit through theWord and sacraments. Such abundant grace working inhearts warmed by the Gospel can’t help but show itself ingifts designated for others in need.

The upcoming Christmas celebration is a reminder onceagain of Jesus’ attitude of humble service. He left all theglories of heaven behind to come down to this earth to beour Savior. What a model for our thankful response to Hissaving grace! What a model He made for us to humbly re-flect His serving love even in our attitudes about life! Thenour Christ-like attitudes flow into Christian actions in living alife of loving service to others.

New Beginnings – A Home for Mothers is but one ex-ample of loving service to those in need of help in turningtheir lives around. Without your Christian attitudes, shapedby Christ’s humble and self-sacrificing love, and your Chris-tian actions, shown in generous support of charitable effortslike New Beginnings with your prayers and donations, ourhome for mothers would not be able to survive.

Christ-like attitudes flowing into Christ-like actions ofhumble and helpful love are convincing evidence of treasur-ing in Christ-like hearts the Gift of Jesus – Love that camedown at Christmas.

Merry Christmas, and thanks for all your year-round giftsof prayers and offerings – all showing “you got the atti-tude!”

Rev. Doug BodeSpiritual Director at New Beginnings

That was a remark thrown my way from a resident whowas doing something she shouldn’t have been doing. Aftera little talk about attitudes and the kind of attitude one shouldhave, she understood a little better where I was coming from.

We see and hear all kinds of attitudes during a typical dayat New Beginnings, many of them fine and good. How-ever, we do encounter residents who sometimes think theyknow everything – a “you-can’t-tell-me-anything” attitude.It doesn’t matter that they have never been a mother be-fore, or that their own parents often didn’t teach them aboutgrowing up.

We realize the difficulties caused by pregnancy – the moodswings, the doubts and uncertainties about what is happen-ing to their bodies, etc. We can understand some of thenegative attitudes.

But in a sense, that remark, “You got a attitude!” is a positivething and evidence of something higher and deeper than wecould ever produce on our own. It reminds us of St. Pauland his encouragement to Christian readers, Your attitudeshould be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, beingin very nature God, did not consider equality with Godsomething to be grasped, but made himself nothing, tak-ing the very nature of a servant, being made in humanlikeness. And being found in appearance as a man, hehumbled himself and became obedient to death — evendeath on a cross! (Philippians 2:5-8).

Affiliated with Christian Life Resources, Inc.2949 N. Mayfair Rd., Suite 309Milwaukee, WI 53222-4304

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New Beginnings appreciates your prayers to our gracious God on our behalf. Wealso appreciate your gifts. Would you consider helping us out?

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Mail to: New Beginnings - A Home for MothersP.O. Box 423Aurora, CO 80040

New Beginnings - A Home for Mothers is aChrist-centered home for single mothers and isaffiliated with Christian Life Resources, Inc. Thehome has been serving residents since 1993.It is supported entirely by the generous supportand prayers of those who are committed tosharing Christ and reflecting His sacrificial love.

Staff: Rev. Douglas Bode - Spiritual DirectorMrs. Charlene Bode - Home Manager

Telephone: 1-303-364-08901-800-720-MOMS

Fax: 1-303-364-0891

E-mail: nbdenver@comcast.net

Website: www.HomeforMothers.com

Please send me information on having my gifts enhanced through ThriventFinancial for Lutherans.I would like to support this ministry on a regular basis. Please send meinformation on becoming a Clearly Caring Sponsor.

Please call if you are interested in donating any of these much needed items.Thank you!

Check out: www.HomeForMothers.com for more information.