Merry Christmas!

By the time you read this, I will be in Illinois enjoying the holiday with my family.  I pray that you may have God-filled times with your families and friends this holiday as well.

Next Sunday, 28 December 2008, we will have a special guest speaker in my absence.  You certainly have heard of her - Michelle Stoutamire, our music director.  Last month, she was recommended to me by the Council to be the person to bring the Sermon message for that Sunday.  Please make sure to be there to hear the message God has given her.

Many people have heard of the Twelve Days of Christmas in that rather rediculous counting song with the turtledoves and french hens, drummers and maids-a-milking.  Long before the popularity of that particular song, Christians have celebrated twelve days of feasting at the Christmas season, from December 25 through January 5 (inclusive).  This is because Advent (the four weeks before Christmas) was seen as a time for fasting, repentance and preparation for the coming of the Lord. 

These days, we tend to do feasting the whole time - but there are some famous traditional remembrances we can make during some of these Twelve Days of Christmas.

On the Second Day of Christmas (Dec 26), we can remember the life, ministry and witness of Stephen the Martyr, whose story is told in Acts 6:1 - 8:1.  He was the first person recorded to die for the message of Jesus. 

On the Third Day of Christmas (Dec 27), we can remember the life, ministry and witness of John the Apostle, the brother of James and the author of the Book of John. 

On the Fourth Day of Christmas (Dec 28), we can remember the children of Bethlehem who died at Herod’s hand when he attempted to be rid of Jesus. 

On the Fifth Day of Christmas (Dec 29), we can remember Rev. Thomas Becket, Archbishop of Canturbury, who was killed by the knights of King Henry II of England for standing up to corrupt political authority. 

On the Eighth Day of Christmas (January 1), we can remember Jesus’ participation in the old covenant, since on the 8th day he was circumcised and formally given his name - that he might save his people from their sins. 

Let us continue to celebrate God’s presence with us as he has declared himself to be Emmanuel: God With Us!

Merry Christmas!