Hi everyone,

 

                Well, we are just ten days away from Christmas. Are you feeling it yet? I know some of you have been feeling it since October. You had your tree up and the outside lights on and you have been listening to Christmas music for weeks now.

 

                We love the feeling of Christmas. Sometimes it’s called the Christmas spirit.

 

                It’s a warm, fuzzy feeling that almost anyone can experience if they want to. You can experience it in a walk through the mall or watching a favourite Christmas movie or eating a certain type of holiday food.

 

                Is that good or bad?

 

                I think that the Christmas spirit can be a great thing, if it is a means to an end. Often, though, it is the end. Just try and get in the right mood, the right feels, and you will have accomplished all that Christmas was meant for.

 

But if that spirit is the means to an end, I think it is in its proper place.

 

                So, what is the end?

 

                The end is always Jesus. He is the whole reason behind the Christmas celebration. If our feels don’t lead us to Jesus, then those feels are suspect. Don’t get fooled into thinking that you are really experiencing the true meaning of Christmas just because you feel the Christmas spirit.

 

                The true Christmas spirit finds its source in Jesus. It is the spirit of generosity and sacrifice. It is the spirit of love, joy and peace. It is not meant to be a one-month-a-year reality, rather, as Christ lives in us, the true Spirit of Christmas, the Holy Spirit, will fill us and empower us to live like Jesus all twelve months of the year.

 

                So, go and enjoy your Christmas traditions. Enjoy your holiday get-togethers and your delicious foods, but ask Jesus to use each one of those things to lead you deeper in your understanding of His love for you. May He help you to fall deeper in love with Him this season as well.

 

                I am loving our Christmas series “True and Better” that we have been in lately. This weekend will be the fourth in the series and on Sunday, Pastor Michael will be preaching on the character of Job showing how he was a foreshadow of Jesus.

 

                I hope you can join us online or in-person.

 

                Have a great weekend.

 

                I love being your pastor.

 

Pastor Tim