BIBLE VERSE:
For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. The government will rest on his shoulders. And he will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6 (NLT)
QUOTE TO REMEMBER:
"My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?"
-Bob Hope
THIS WEEK IN HISTORY:
On December 19, 1843, Charles Dickens’ classic story “A Christmas Carol” is published. HERE!
A RESOURCE TO CONSIDER:
The Metaverse is here! It has been for awhile actually. But, the Metaverse doesn’t have to be a scary thing, and there is much that can be redeemed in it. Check out the Metaverse Church podcast with me and my friend Michael to learn how we are using the Metaverse to make Jesus famous all around the world.
STU ON THIS:
We are just a few short days away from Christmas being upon us, and it is easy to get caught up in the hustle of this season. My prayer and hope is that you have a Church to attend this Christmas Eve, and if not, hit me up!
At most Churches this Christmas Eve, they will be hosting a “candle light” service. If you are unfamiliar with this type of service, usually this service is where at the very end, the Church turns off all the lights in the sanctuary/auditorium and begin to light candles one at a time, usually starting with one person, and then that person uses their lit candle to light their neighbors candles, and so on and so forth. This continues until all candles are lit, all while being led by the worship team in singing “Silent Night.” This is a great representation of what Jesus called His Church to be when He said that “You are the light of the world…” (Matthew 5:14). It’s a beautiful example of what the mission of the Church is to be, to be a light that passes that light to someone else.
Think about this though. Did you know that God’s mission for the Church, and God’s plan for the Universe can be found in His very first words recorded in the Bible? Genesis 1 opens up telling us that in the beginning the World was formless and there was darkness (Gen 1:1-2). Then the God of the Universe spoke and simply said “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3)! God’s plan since the beginning of time has always been to turn off the dark, and when Jesus invited each of us to be the light of the world, he invited us into God’s great plan!
So, as you celebrate Christmas, whether you are lighting candles during your Churches Christmas Eve service, or you’re simply looking at all the different Christmas lights on the houses in your neighborhood or on your tree, let it be a reminder to you that you have been invited to the great mission of to turn off the dark.
Until next Stuesday,
Stuart McPherson
