The LINK: 12/22
To You Christ Is Born
“The angel said to them, ‘Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all the people; for there is born to you this day a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.’”
The Bible teaches that Christ was born, and that he died and suffered on our behalf. As is here declared by the angel, he was born for us. The angel does not simply say, “Christ is born,” but “to you he is born.” Neither does he say, “I bring glad tidings,” but “I bring you glad tidings of great joy.” Therefore we must never treat the coming of Jesus as a mere historical event. Rather, we make this birth our own – as well as being born to us, Christ has been born in us. This is true for all who believe.
We celebrate the Christ who is born to us and in us with the four Sundays of Advent, the first of which is November 27. These Sundays will feature special readings and the lighting of our Christmas wreath, and the Advent Sermon Series will explore four themes: The Hope, Peace, Love, and Joy of Christ’s coming. As are available throughout the year, the sermons will be accompanied by the Daily Bible Reading Plan and Devotions. I invite you to daily reading and thoughtful meditation on God’s Word during this Advent Season.
On Christmas Eve we will offer three services. The early service at 4:00pm is structured especially for families with children who want to come to church together. Special music and an expanded Young Disciples Time will help those who are younger among us enjoy this special night. The 7:00pm Christmas Eve service will feature many of our beloved Christmas Carols and music from our Choir, and will include the passing of the Christ light. At 9:00pm on Christmas Eve we will celebrate with a quieter service of Special Music, Candlelight and Communion.
December 25 (Christmas Day) and January 1 (New Year’s Day) both fall on Sundays this year. These two Sundays we will offer one service only, to be held at 11:00am. Each service will incorporate elements of both of our regular Sunday services, including Young Disciples and Children’s Church.
Lastly, let me remind you that there are many in our community who will be looking for a church to attend during the Christmas season. However, many “un-churched” people think of church as a club where one shouldn’t attend up unless a member. Please invite your friends and neighbors who don’t have a church home, or whose church does not offer a Christmas Eve Service, to come with you to our church. And let them know that they will be warmly welcomed!
Yours in Christ,