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by Calven Celliers “22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” (Matthew 1: 22 & 23NIV) When you think of the Christmas season, what comes to mind? What’s going on around us can easily distract us from seeking intimacy with Immanuel. Christmas is, however, a time when we remember that God sent Jesus to dwell among us and rescue those who were lost, orphaned, and without hope. Jesus was “God with skin on” – a man who experienced temptation, persecution, pain, and grief, but also joy. He understands us, loves us, and promises to never leave us nor forsake us. But having said that, I can only imagine how Jesus' disciples and followers might have possibly questioned this reality when they experienced very real feelings of abandonment, huddled behind locked doors following His death. They feared what might happen next. Would they be arrested and executed, too? Despite Jesus’ efforts in the final days of His earthly ministry to help make them understand the reality of His abiding presence always, I reckon they were still unprepared and stunned by His absence, left with feelings of grief and uncertainty. 2020 has been a long, hard year. Perhaps there have been moments when all of us have felt abandoned and overwhelmed when challenged with health issues, job losses, financial crises, and relationship problems. It’s at times like that, that it’s perfectly human to wonder why God doesn't immediately swoop in and fix everything. Feelings of loss and abandonment seem especially keen over the holiday period. This Festive Season it may feel for many like they are living on the fringes, merely going through the motions. And so, this Christmas, more than any other, may we never forget that God is still with us. He hasn't disappeared. Jesus comforts us in the Gospel of John saying, “16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. 18 No, I will not abandon you as orphans — I will come to you. 19 Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live.” (John 14: 16 – 19NLT)  What was true of the disciples and those early followers is also true of you and me. Without the Holy Spirit to strengthen us, encourage us, lead us, and guide us, we too will not make it. And here’s a blessed truth worth celebrating this Christmas, the Holy Spirit is not fickle in His commitment to you! He is not just with you when you feel spiritual. He is not just with you when you’re at your best…

by Luke KincaidI don’t know about you but there definitely seems to be a tangible feeling you get around Christmas time. I hadn’t yet felt it this year until I was sitting and chatting to my mom yesterday and said to her, “I think I’ve finally got it, that Christmas feeling!” This feeling is difficult to define exactly. There’s an element of joyfulness to it as well as excitement. But as I have thought through it in preparation for writing today’s blog I believe that the main factor of this Christmas feeling is peace, a peace which we can only receive from the Prince of Peace Himself:6 For a child will be born for us,a son will be given to us,and the government will be on his shoulders.He will be namedWonderful Counselor, Mighty God,Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.(Isaiah 9:6)In this Messianic prophecy we see that Jesus is referred to as the Prince of Peace. And while the peace we have received from Jesus as His disciples is always available to us I believe that Christmas is a special time for us to be reminded of it. This is because before coming to know Jesus we were enemies of God and unable to save ourselves from our sin and Christmas is the reminder that our Savior was born, the One who could make peace with God on our behalf:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1).What Christmas means to me is the fact that right now, in this moment, those who have repented and believed in Jesus, are at peace with God. We can rest in the truth that we have been justified, our sin no longer has any power over us, and that God loves us and accepts us. And none of this would have been possible without the birth of our amazing Savior Jesus who provides this all for us. Much love,Luke

by Graham MolLast night we revisited a local residence that has been transformed into a Christmas Light House. We had discovered this local gem last week, and now were showing it to some of Candice's family. At this house amidst all the lights and decorations, there is a patio table filled with ornaments depicting various "Christmassy" scenes (think Winter Wonderland). Some of these emitting festive tunes. This time, however, when I went closer to the table there was a beautiful sound that eclipsed the other tunes. It was the sound of a choir gracefully singing Silent Night, the voices blending in deep harmonies. The song was coming from one of the ornaments and as I gazed at the table I was sure of which one it was...This elegant replica of a Church steeple with an angel bathed in sparkling light, was indeed the source of the angelic music. The effect of the design and the music was quite simply movingly beautiful, far outshining all the other festive scenes.In this moment of awe and peace I also felt a tinge of sadness that I wouldn't be able to listen a choir sing like this live this year. I also realised that this is one of the things I find most meaningful about Christmas, that we get to sing along with the angels.Luke 2:8-148 In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: 11 Today in the city of David a Savior was born for you, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be the sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped tightly in cloth and lying in a manger.”13 Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,and peace on earth to people he favors!Since the very night of Christ's birth there has been singing to celebrate. If you think about it, Christmas without carols really doesn't feel like Christmas at all. It's truly remarkable that some of the well-beloved carols that we sing each year were written hundreds of years ago! Yet each year, we all join in (even those who aren't Christians) to sing the familiar and often deeply theological Christmas hymns.For me these carols provide a moment to step back from all the fun and busyness of this time of year and focus on the wondrous miracle of Christ's birth. We get to join in with the angels in singing praise as we reflect on the glory, peace and joy of Christ's arrival on earth. This is a message that eclipses all others during this time of year and it is "What Christmas means to me." God BlessGraham