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Well, the countdown to Christmas is on as we are less than two weeks away now. Ruth has our home well decorated for Christmas and I got out my annual Christmas letter this week. I think I have completed my Christmas shopping but do have some wrapping to do. It will be a busy couple of weeks but as the old song says, “it’s the most wonderful time of the year.”

On Monday this week, the Oaks Christmas luncheon was held. A big thank you to the women’s ministry for providing our meal. As a part of our gathering, we assembled Christmas gift bags with things like candy, lotions, tissues and such. I was able to deliver most of those to our shut-ins this week to let them know they are loved and not forgotten.

On Wednesday, we concluded our advent adult bible study on Matthew 1 and 2. In particular, we looked this week at chapter 2 and the arrival of the magi. It was good to lean into the Christmas story and in Matthew’s Gospel where the focus is on Joseph rather than Mary. One of the amazing things about Jesus earthly father is that there are no recorded words of him in Scripture. He was a good, obedient man who let his actions do his talking.

Tomorrow of course is a big day as we are providing our annual Journey to the Nativity. What a great ministry this is to the community to creatively retell the story of Jesus birth through song and dialogue. Thanks to the many volunteers who are helping and to Diane Herr for her great passion and leadership for this event. My prayer is that it will warm enough to make it bearable for our performers and participants as we celebrate the good news of great joy which is for all people.

You will be hearing more about Believe! series which will kick off in 2026. I have been working on the first sermons in the series which focus on God and then God is a personal God. I am convinced that this series will help us to affirm what it is we believe and ideally make us more grounded in the Word of God. The books will be arriving any day as Sunday School classes prepare to participate in Believe!.

This coming Wednesday is Roots Night with the meal at 5:45 pm followed by our annual caroling in the community. This is a great tradition that brings the joy of Christmas right to the front doors of our church friends. Please consider participating after the meal and as a reminder we will have hot chocolate waiting in the Family Life Center upon your return to the church.

I hope you have taken up the challenge of living in the Christmas story this Advent. I have been reading and re-reading Matthew 1-2, Luke 1-2, and John 1 for two weeks now and I love using a different translation each week. What has been impressed upon me this Advent season is how the hand of God was in control of the birth of our Savior. I was reminded Wednesday night at Bible study how God kept Jesus safe from Herod’s murderous acts and how Joseph was always diligent in keeping Mary and baby Jesus safe. The Christmas story is filled with miracles from the virgin birth to angelic appearances, and to a special star that guided wisemen to the Christ child. But what is unmistakable about the birth of our Savior is how God provided for Mary and Joseph and the baby each step of the way. And it reminded me that he is doing the same for you and for me.

Well, a busy weekend is about to begin. I am looking forward to an amazing Saturday and an amazing Sunday. We will be sharing yet another biblical reason for celebrating Christmas as Jesus declared in Luke 19:10 His purpose for coming to earth. We will light the candles and continue our journey to the manger of Bethlehem where we too will worship the Christ child, our Savior and our Lord.

Let’s have a great weekend together as we celebrate both days the good news of great joy that is for all people, for unto us is born this day in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:10-11). Remember, it is Friday…but Sunday’s coming!

Pastor Kevin