Christmas is coming! Now I'm sure that you've heard the standard Christmas newsletter article before. "Jesus is the reason for the season", "Focus on Jesus even when things get busy", "It isn't about the presents". All those things are true. We are celebrating the birth of the Son of God this month! It is an exciting time. I pray that you are able to focus on Jesus even as things are busy, and I hope to see you in church as we see God's love on display in Christ and dig deep into the text of Scripture- Old and New Testaments in our Bible Studies about the coming of Jesus.

But because I'm sure you know that Jesus is the reason for the season and I'm sure you will be doing everything you can to get a break during the holidays, I have a bit of a different encouragement for you. Around Christmas, our church building will be fuller than at almost any other time of the year. We will have many guests, visitors, and others walking through the doors. You know the significance of the birth of Christ. That little baby in the manger grows into a man who suffers and dies for the sins of the world and rises from the dead. There is nothing more important than Jesus and what he has done for us. The visitors walking in our doors might not know this. This might be the only time they step into a church all year.

So, at our services this year, find someone you don't know and go talk to them. It might just be a hello or a quick conversation. You probably won't end up talking about the deep significance of what Christ has done (although they will hear it in the sermon). You might miss out on a chance to say hello to your friends. But this Christmas we have an opportunity. Let's take it! Jesus Christ is the light of the world who shone into the darkness of fallen creation. He has come for you, for our visitors, and yes, even for those who don't even come to church at Christmas. Let's take this opportunity, with our church as full as it gets, to engage those who come in our doors and welcome them back to continue hearing the greatest news anyone will ever hear! May God bless you this Christmas season and always

Fr. Geevarghese Abraham, Vicar