A thought from Pastor Jack Hayford this Christmas...

"Behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people." 

Luke 2:10

A thought from Pastor Jack Hayford this Christmas...

When we hear people say, "Bah, humbug!" as Christmas approaches, we know what they mean: our world's approach to Christmas can seem commercialized, crazed, and even cold. Still, we can never forget the love, light, and warmth of God's Christmas Gift to us: His very own Son. And that is a Gift worthy of our celebration! Christmas provides a great opportunity to share the love of God. Even people who don't know Jesus celebrate the season, and I believe God honors that, wanting us to reach to them with His Spirit.

Years ago, I decided to freshly open to the Holy Spirit each Christmas, and to refuse the "bah humbug" or "Scrooge spirit" that dampens delight and diminishes joy. Today, let's welcome the Lord and His season. 

Connecting with God at Christmas

Christmas is the perfect time to connect with God because its the moment God chose to connect with us.  “She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.’” Matthew 1:23b  Let’s make the time to focus on God this season and follow the examples of the Bible characters in the original Christmas Story.

Listen & Obey - Mary found herself with an overwhelming calling.  Joseph found himself with a difficult decision.  Both listened and responded positively to God and His leading.  (Luke 1:38; Matthew 1:24)

Worship & Give - The Wise Men also listened and followed the leading of God both through the star and an angel.  Their journey of obedience ended with them worshipping and offering gifts to the newborn King. (Matthew 2:11)

Reach Out & Invite - Shepherds were considered the “least of these” in their culture.  Because of their status in society they weren’t even allowed to give testimony in court.  And yet, God chose them to be the first witnesses to the newborn Savior. (Luke 2:20)

Make time this Christmas to listen and obey, worship and give, and reach out and invite.  You (and He) will be glad you did.

Advent

We have entered the Advent season on the Church calendar.  “Advent” in Latin comes from a word that means “coming.”  We celebrate and prepare our hearts for the coming of our King Jesus.  We remember his coming in the past as a baby in the town of Bethlehem.  We celebrate the present as Jesus comes into our heart.  And we look to the future as He comes as King to establish His new Kingdom.


In the front of church we have an advent wreath with candles.  Each week we light a new candle which symbolizes the expectation of our coming Messiah.  


Week 1 - (Purple Candle) Represents HOPE, signifying the hope that we have in Jesus when we allow Him to lead us out of darkness into light.  


Week 2 - (Purple Candle) Represents PEACE.  Jesus came to bring peace.  From the words of Zecharias in Luke 1:79….”He will guide our feet into the way of Peace”.


Week 3 - (Pink Candle) Represents LOVE.  We are reminded that He is Love and that He loves us with an everlasting love and that we are called by Jesus to love others.


Week 4 - (Purple Candle) Represents JOY.  The angel in Luke 2:10, "...I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”  As the day of celebration draws close we become excited with anticipation and joy. We are reminded that a life with Him is one full of Joy! 


On Christmas Eve a final white candle is lit.  


This Advent let us all prepare our hearts for the coming of the King.