Dear Young Adults and Parents of Young Adults,

Have you ever stopped and wondered what the Christmas season truly means?  Years ago we would hear “Merry Christmas” mentioned this time of year. However, it seems more and more like the words “Merry Christmas” are becoming less noticeable.  When we approach the fall months the words you often hear touted are Happy Halloween, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Holidays to sum up all of them.  While thinking about this, I am reminded of a shirt I recently saw that said “Keep Christ in Christmas.”  Truth be told, without Jesus Christ there is nothing Happy about any of the Holidays.  Not only is Christ the central figure of Christmas, He is the essence of life.  All things were created by Him and for Him and in Him all things hold together (Colossians 1:16-17).  This Christmas we will celebrate what happened nearly two thousand years ago “As the shepherds were keeping watch over their flocks 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” (Luke 2:8-11).  The true meaning of Christmas is about a Savior being born, living a perfect sinless life, being crucified for your sins, physically being raised to life on the third day and paying a debt that you cannot pay.  This Christmas, be sure to stop and praise Christ Jesus, the Lord!  Oh, and don’t forget to tell everyone you see, “Merry Christmas!”

In Christ,

Pastor Brad