Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year . . . I mean, there’s a whole song about it, right?!
Growing up, I couldn’t wait for the Christmas season to arrive. My dad would haul out the tree and my mom would have homemade Christmas cookies and eggnog at the ready as we decorated. There was no shortage of Christmas carols, movies, and outings to look at the lights in the neighborhood. Christmas was, and still is to this day, one of my favorite times of the year.
My parents always created space in our home.
I look back at that special season and realize that while those fun things were certainly a highlight of Christmas, the one thing that has stayed with me is how my parents focused on creating a space for people to belong in our home and a place where they could be introduced to, or reminded of, the reason for the season - Jesus.
As a military family, we were always surrounded by people who needed a place to call home for the holidays. Some were single officers with families thousands of miles away; some were elderly friends with no family at all; some were couples who didn't have children of their own to create memories with.
It was known that someone would be with our family for Christmas dinner, but most importantly, they would also be invited to attend a Christmas service with us to learn about the true hope that Jesus brings.
Maybe you know someone who needs a space to belong.
This Christmas, are there people in your life who need a place to belong? Perhaps it's your neighbor or that friend you go to the gym with. Maybe it's the widow across the road or the single parent from your child's sports team. Perhaps it's your coworker who's going through a difficult time or that college student who wasn't able to go home for Christmas this year. If the Lord is bringing some people to mind:
- Reach out and personally invite them to join you for a Christmas Eve service. At Berean, we make it easy for you to do this. Christmas invite cards are available at the Welcome Center and throughout the Commons. Stop by and take as many as you need!
- If you're able, invite someone to share dinner with you around your Christmas table. Inviting someone into your home is meaningful, makes a connection, and won't be forgotten.
Maybe YOU need a space to belong this Christmas, too.
Maybe there is joy and excitement as you anticipate Christmas this year. Or perhaps you are in the hardest season of your life—maybe you've lost someone dear to you or your life circumstances have changed and you just don't know what to do next. Either way, here at Berean, we want you to know that there is a place for YOU.
You see, Christmas is about our Savior who was born in a manger in Bethlehem. It's about the 'good news of great joy' that our Savior's birth gives to me and to YOU (see Luke 2:10). It's about Jesus, God's Son, who came to be with me and with YOU through the good times AND the bad. It's about the hope of salvation that we can all find in him.
We are never guaranteed that this life will be easy, but we are promised to have a faithful friend who will walk by our side through it all (see Isaiah 43:2). Whatever your story, whatever you've been through, and whatever you're facing now, we want you to know that there is hope. You matter to Jesus and he loves you very much.
You're invited to Christmas at Berean!
If you've never met this Jesus, we would love for you to join us for our Christmas Eve services on Saturday, December 24. There are three services to choose from at 1, 2:30, and 4 p.m. The whole family is welcome! There is also childcare available for ages 0-4 at the 2:30 p.m. service. The services will have a mix of traditional and contemporary music and a meaningful message that makes Christmas extra special. We'll also light candles and close out the services as we sing Silent Night by candlelight.
You're also invited to our Christmas Day service on Sunday, December 25. We will have one combined service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We hope you'll join us for Christmas carols and a Christmas devotional.
We love Christmas at Berean, and we can't wait to celebrate with YOU!
You're invited!
