Pastor's Christmas Letter 2014

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." -John 3:16

Do you have that Christmas spirit yet? How can you get in the Christmas mood? Maybe it's going to NYC and seeing "the tree" and all of the window displays on 5th Avenue, or maybe it's shopping or decorating your house. Maybe it's watching your favorite Christmas movie like "Miracle on 34th Street," or "It's a Wonderful LIfe" or "White Christmas."

One of my favorite "Christmas" movies is "Elf." Will Ferrell plays Buddy, a giant, adopted elf who goes on a journey from the North Pole "through the seven levels of the Candy Cane forest, through the sea of swirly twirly gum drops, and then through the Lincoln Tunnel" to NYC to find his birth parents. No, it doesn't mention Jesus, the real reason for the season, but it is hilarious.

Before Buddy heads out on his quest, Santa reveals that Buddy's father is on the naughty list. But then Santa resassures Buddy, "Some people, they just lose sight of what's important in life...that doesn't mean they can't find their way again. Maybe all they need is just a little Christmas spirit."

So many have lost sight of what Christmas is all about, or more importantly, of what life is all about. That is why Jesus came. Jesus didn't just come to give us some Christmas spirit or help us find our way. He IS the way and the truth and the life (John 14:6)! And whoever believes in Jesus will not perish but will have eternal life (John 3:16).

So come and join us on Christmas Eve or for Sunday worship and celebrate what Christmas is all about, what life is all about. And remember to invite a friend. (And if you haven't seen "Elf," check it out...everybody needs a few laughs at Christmas).

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Tom