Inspire, Fall/Winter 2009

28 FALL/WINTER 2009 di rector ’s cha i r I can still vividly remember my first time home for Thanksgiving break as a Cedarville student. I recall the feeling of excitement as I walked into the house after being at college for most of the quarter. The house never looked better, and the food never tasted so good. It was great to be home. Now that I have a family of my own, we’ve learned that home is the best place to be on Christmas morning. There is something special about waking up and hearing the girls run downstairs to look under the Christmas tree and see what special things are waiting. Celebrating Christmas always brings back wonderful holiday memories from our Cedarville days — from practicing for Oratorio Chorus and decorating our rooms for open houses to enjoying Little Town of Lights and riding home with friends after final exams. But the holiday memories we’ve made since those years are perhaps even greater, because of the depth of our understanding for what God did for us in sending His Son. Many years ago, a friend sent me a Christmas card that has become my favorite holiday poem: If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator. If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist. If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist. If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer. But our greatest need was forgiveness, So God sent us a Savior. — Author unknown This holiday season, as you reflect on Immanuel and the many blessings God has brought you, consider the family He has provided through Cedarville. Having our alumni come to campus for homecoming feels a lot like a big holiday family reunion — and Homecoming 2009 was no exception! From the start of chapel on Friday morning until the final chords of the Jazz Band concert on Saturday night, the excitement of being “home” filled the air! My staff and I are fortunate to experience this family-feeling all year round as we interact with alumni through e-mail, campus activities, and chapter events. Michelle (Rigel) McCune ’04 has been responsible for making many of these interactions possible. As she begins a family of her own, we’ll miss her leadership, energy, and commitment to helping alumni stay connected with their Cedarville family. We hope this issue of Inspire encourages you to bask in the joy of Christmas. As you prepare gifts, bake special treats, spend time with family, and reflect on God’s blessings, may it all be motivated by gratitude for Christ’s birth, because He makes it all possible. Jeff Beste ’87 Director of Alumni Relations “Celebrating Christmas always brings back wonderful holiday memories from our Cedarville days.”