Just wanted to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. It is hard to believe that another year came and went, but here we are in December, less than a week away from Christmas. With us having youngsters, you can just imagine all the changes that that occur over the course of a calendar year. Steph and I are continually amazed at how fast the kids grow and learn and develop. It is truly amazing.

Last week Jeremiah (our youngest) turned 3! Our little man is growing up, not to mention our three older kids. We praise God for the blessing of family. If you prayed for us over the past year, we so appreciate your prayers. As we think of it, we will also try to hold you up in prayer. We wish you all the best in the coming year and may you pursue Christ with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

Let me leave you with a couple Scripture verses and a quote from J.I. Packer’s classic book Knowing God. Truly, Jesus is the man who was born to die and we praise God for the marvelous gift of His Son.

⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5-8)

¹⁴ Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, ¹⁵ and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. ¹⁶ For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. ¹⁷ Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:14-18)

“The Christmas spirit does not shine out in the Christian snob. For the Christmas spirit is the spirit of those who like their Master, live their whole lives on the principle of making themselves poor  – spending and being spent – to enrich their fellow humans, giving time, trouble, care and concern to do good to others – and not just their own friends – in whatever way there seems need.” J.I. Packer