Hi All. Oh how the season is busy! Here's a quick recap of Sunday past...

Spencer spoke on Advent during his 'Something to think about'.

- There are four themes in the Bible (advent)... Third being Joy.

- "Behold I bring you good tidings of great Joy" spoken by the Angels announcing Jesus' birth.

- Hard to imagine 'joy' when looking at our world today. Even in Jesus day there was lack of Joy. There was taxation, sentences, Roman Soldiers...

- Why have joy? Why should we have Joy in hard times.

- HOPE - Jewish people always had hope! They stood on the promises God made

- Abraham was told that he would be the father of many, but this only came true after he almost sacrificed his son.

- 1 Peter 3:15 'But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect."

- In Bible times, there was a thin line between hope and faith! One goes with the other.

- Deuteronomy 7:9 'Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.' Have faith in a god that will keep you!

- Book of Job mostly talks about joy; even through the experiences Job had.

- Philippians was written by Paul while in prison.

- Joy is an emotion of great pleasure or happiness.

- When you really know Christ, you know Joy.

Pastor Caroline brought the message Sunday night. After a bit of 'letting go and letting God' her message went from 'advent' to Merry Christmas :)

- MERRY CHRISTMAS!! Can you say this joyfully?! 

- As you hear of jobs being lost, people looking for work, a mother dying, parents struggling to feed the family... where is the joy?!

- Joy comes from deep inside... that's how some can have a 'Merry Christmas' despite their circumstances.

- One man said... I don't believe in Christmas. It's based on religion, and I don't believe in religion. So I guess I don't believe in Christmas.'

- This is what James 1:27, 28 says "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

- It's Christmas, and God didn't send His son for religion. No, He sent His son for relationship!

- Redeeming Love... for every man, colour, creed

- Redeeming from the bondage of sin... freedom!

- This is a gift from God. There's nothing you can do to get it... it's a gift!

- Luke 2:8-20 is the Christmas story. Pastor Caroline could have stayed here and broke down the story, but she wanted to go beyond.

- John 3:16 "For God so loved the world,^[a] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

- NOW you understand how big this gift is!!

- Your loved ones, give them an empty box for Christmas and tell them your your gift does not live in this box. Your gift is for them to know Jesus.

- Is Jesus the perfect gift? Yes... when He hung on that tree.  Redeeming love was made available through the cross... Our forever gift from Christ.

- Let's not focus on the gifts under the tree, let's focus on this gift... Redeeming Love through Jesus.

- MERRY CHRISTMAS!!... and Happy Birthday Jesus! :)

Through all the hustle and bustle the season brings, may you have a peace in your heart, a joy in your step, and Jesus on your mind.

Cheers