Merry Christmas

“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests’” - Luke 2:8-14

“Happy Holidays”, said the store clerk. The customer smiled and responded “Merry Christmas”. The Christmas story – of the birth of our Savior – continues and it is something that won’t be contained. Most of the local Christmas displays are of Santa, Rudolph and Frosty, but there are a few that proclaim the birth of Jesus. The one shown below is on Wisteria Drive near Mission High and is worth a look. It is amazing at night and is complete with music, although it probably can’t compete with a band of heavenly hosts.

A joy I have had for several years is in sharing the Christmas story with a class at Gomes Elementary School. For 30 minutes, I get to talk to them about God becoming man and being sacrificed on a cross for our sins, only to be raised again to glory. The audience was an enthusiastic and inquisitive one of Asian children from a mix of family backgrounds, including Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Christian.

I always have to remind myself that the Bible never says, “Blessed are the cynics”, but instead calls us to look forward in hope and joy to what the Lord is doing. This little annual event is a blessing to me, even as I pray that the message would eventually lead to some of them seeking the Lord.

HIGHLIGHTED PRAYER

We talked about giving a relational gift this season. For some of us, that will mean spending time with relatives who aren’t believers. Take some time to pray for one another, that we would be able to convey our joy at the birth of our Savior. Be sure to pray with thanksgiving and praise to God during this season.

PRAY FOR OUR CONGREGATION

We are trying to re-enter the story of Christmas and celebrate it differently this year: Worship More, Spend Less, Give More, Love All. Pray that we'll find a way to live out Christmas—as a church with our own families—in a way that will help Christmas "change the world" again.

Give thanks for the new little ones God is bringing into the world and pray for the health of the children and parents: Little Darius who just arrived, and there is a little girl who is still comfortably inside of his mother Kathy. Pray for the Hui's as they adjust to becoming a family of 5 with the arrival of baby Dylan.

Ponder the Winter Retreat and pray for this also - pray for your involvement as well as the involvement of others. The experience and memories from these are always a blessing as we grow closer to the Lord while getting to know each other better, but it always seems like such an easy thing to shove aside and say to ourselves, "I will do it next time". How about this time?

Pray that others from our congregation will join us in by signing up for the prayer list and participating.

PRAY FOR THE REST OF OUR CHURCH

The Mandarin group is planning to hold evangelical meetings during the Christmas Holidays season. Pray that God's hand would be with them as they reach out to others to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

The Cantonese congregation has requested prayer for some of the members who have attended regularly but not yet been baptized. May the Lord touch their hearts – along with others from the English and Mandarin congregations – to make this public statement of a relationship with our Lord.

Time to plan for next year's Taiwan mission trip! Pray for the planning of this and that God would be preparing His mission field in Taiwan and our church to participate..

PRAY ABOUT HOW GOD IS LEADING YOU ON HIS MISSION

PRAY FOR THREE (3) OF YOUR UN-CHURCHED FRIENDS/FAMILY

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Amen