A Note

From Pastor Mark

Many of us will be surprised this Christmas with eye-popping, heartwarming gifts.  Maybe a new electronic gadget or game?  Jewelry? An engagement ring? A puppy? A special drawing from a grandchild?

What have your wishes been in the Christmases of your life?

There are those who receive nothing, not even a card.

Have you been in that situation?

And, of course, many will forget the gift of Christ.

Have you ever experienced that?

God gives us life in this baby, this Savior. This is everything we need, yet sometimes we don’t seem to think it’s enough. Or maybe it’s too farfetched to believe.\

nstead we go our own way, sometimes turning to destructive habits like drugs, alcohol, smoking, gambling, overeating, facebook or technology addiction, or other soul-eating vices, putting a distance between ourselves and our loved ones, between ourselves and the God who dwells among us.

In the Gospel of Matthew chapters 1 and 2 the Christmas story begins with the lineage of Jesus going all the way back to Abraham.This is followed by the Spirit intervening in a dream so that Joseph is reassured to not “dismiss” Mary but to take her as his beloved. Thus a name is attached to the Messiah, “God with Us, Jesus.”

In the hustle and bustle of life it is so easy to lose our connection to God with us. As with Joseph we get so caught up in life and its worries, fears, anxiety and pain that we forget that God was born into that struggle and hardship. God knows it personally.

What are you looking forward to this Christmas season? Peace, health, new friends? How does Christ – the baby in that manger, and the God who is among us here and now – figure in to your celebration?

I’ll see you in worship!

Pastor Mark

Contact Pastor Mark at: pastormark@sotpmail.com