Merry

CHRISTMAS

Dear friends, Merry Christmas!

As we gather as Church family to celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ we view the crèche, a symbol of simplicity, that transports us back to a time and place that seems ever-more foreign to us. Given the complexity and business of our daily lives, especially during this sacred time of year, we can only hope that we take time as families, to recognize that all of the blessings we have in this life are from our Savior Jesus.

The crèche reminds us that our lives need not be complicated or even planned out. Mary and Joseph did not plan the birth of Jesus; God bestowed it upon them at a time in their life when neither were prepared for such a responsibility, but they had faith! Even as the couple traveled looking for a safe place for the birth, and as others rejected them, the couple did not plan to deliver the Christ child in a manger, but they had faith! The fact that the birth occurred in such a simple place reminds us of what is truly important, faith, simplicity of heart, and faithfulness to the word of God. Material goods or comfort was not important. Mary and Joseph realized that they were each other’s gift; this gave them strength to bring forth the ultimate gift to the entire world. We must remember that God the Father gifts his children what they need.

This Christmas season let us continue to celebrate the fact that Christ child calls us to himself, calls us to accept his teachings, and to follow in his way. Let us look to Mary and Joseph as stalwart examples of faithfulness in the face of trepidation, always doing what is generous, good and right. When we follow their example, we indeed walk in the footsteps of the Christ child; and have the ability to choose life over death. Without the Christmas miracle, we would not know salvation.

Christmas Blessings!

Rev. John Kurgan
Pastor

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