Blessings to you, loved ones.  It’s just over a week until Christmas as i write this.  The anticipation feels somewhat muted this year, but I’m looking forward to some time off and to seeing family.  Of course we should all be aware of present circumstances, but I hope you’ll be able to do the same.  Let’s make a special effort this year to reach out to those we know might need a little extra love this season.

We had a good time last Sunday.  I was delighted that Kimi was able to be with us and was even feeling well enough to help out.  We weren’t supposed to have any gift distribution, but Cathy told us that someone donated to the church for Christmas and everyone got a little something.  We are truly blessed.  Special thanks to Cathy, and to everyone else who pitched in as usual to make the day a success.

I talked very briefly about the wonder of what God did by coming to us the way He did.  It awes me every time I think about it.  That’s why I like the song I sang so much.  “Marry Did You Know” captures it beautifully.  This week I want to expand on that.  We love the season.  As Christians we know that there is no Christmas without Christ, but there are no words to adequately capture the significance of what happened that day.

Jesus described Himself as the beginning and the end.  He was and is and is to come.  He and the Father are one.  In short, Jesus is God.  And yet, Jesus is man.  Jesus took on flesh and was born just like the rest of us.  The almighty, infinite personality that created the universe came to us in human form and was born!  It is critical that we understand this and that we are able to share it with those who do not know Him.  For those likely to be hearing me, I won’t be telling you anything you don’t already believe, but I hope that by bringing the evidence of scripture to the forefront of your mind this Christmas, you’ll be ready and able to give an answer for the hope that is within you.  We’ll begin from Matthew 1:22-23.

Merry Christmas y’all!

Larry