We say “YES” to decorations up in November, a Christmas Eve service, the warmth of Family & Friends, and the Christmas story in the bible!
What Christmas treat would you like to find in your stocking on Christmas morning?
One hundred percent chocolate!
Christmas usually involves good food! Tell us about a shared meal with someone…
Every holiday has seemed to be a little bit different for us here. Our favorite holidays have been the ones where there are lots of people, lots of good food, and lots of fun.
What is the ugliest Christmas ornament you’ve ever seen?
Well, beauty is in the eye of the beholder… but there’ve been a few from my perspective. I don’t prefer the plastic gold and silver beads that wrap around the tree.
Can you tell us about something that brings you HOPE?
Our great hope rests in the Resurrection!
That little baby born in the manger ushered in a new season, bringing hope and victory to all of humanity. The weary world rejoices at His coming, and we rejoice knowing that we can enjoy Him forever, for all of eternity.
How do you keep Christ in Christmas?
Our family practices a few different advent traditions in the lead-up to Christmas.
Starting December 1st, every day our family reads together a chapter of Luke, while enjoying a little chocolate of course, and by Christmas, we’ve read through the entire gospel.
Our family also practices the ‘reverse advent calendar’ and puts together a food hamper throughout the advent season for someone who needs one.
Another thing that we’ve started is practicing sharing our Christmas treats and offering hospitality with our friends and neighbors here. It’s amazing how much those small gestures have opened doors for our family to share the good news of Jesus, and little J has been quick to let people know that ‘the real present is Jesus’ at every opportunity.
Why was baby Jesus called Saviour? (Luke 2:11)
Jesus was born to take away the sins of the world, His coming ushered in a new season filled with great hope. We rest in His victory and we rejoice that He is our ‘Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.’
What is your Christmas miracle?
Throughout the course of the last year, we have been in awe of how the Lord has sustained us. Often times He has not taken away the trouble or hurdle that is facing us, but He has given us ample grace to endure and His peace and presence have been ever-present. To us, God with us, ‘Emmanuel’, is the greatest miracle we could ever receive.
Thinking back over the year, what has been the stand-out Word from God that keeps showing up in your life?
In the early spring, J placed a paper he had written with a part of Romans 12:12 on the fridge, ‘Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.’ That has been our family motto this year!
Is there someone that you would like us to pray for over Christmas?
Our friends and family that we have left behind in Canada (of course), and the beautiful people of this country—that they might find Jesus as their great hope too!
