From the Pastor ...

The gospel of Santa Claus is about giving and receiving gifts to people we like and those who have been good to us. This premise leads us to believe that Christmas is primarily about gifts and the people we like. When was the last time you did something nice at Christmas for a person you did not like and that you know did not like you?

But Christmas is about Christ. Christmas is about Christ going to work in human history to re-establish a relationship with everyone who wants it, so that as we get to know God, we love God. And as we love God, we will love one another. Hear this message as if you are hearing it for the first time. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but should have everlasting life." John 3:15   What gift has anyone ever given that you can compare with that? Obviously, the most precious gift that anyone can ever receive is the gift of salvation and eternal life with our good God. Jesus Christ opened this for us by His coming to us. He set in motion the plan for our salvation that follows the path of faith through a cross, resurrection, ascension and a new covenant with a new Holy Spirit. This way God could say, "I will never leave you: I will never abandon you." Hebrews 13:5 Such love cannot be taken lightly. This gift of God changes us. That's why we worship Him. Christmas is about Christ!

-Rev. Jeff Curtis