The focus text for this week is one that we tend to ignore because it doesn’t fit our idea of the Christmas season. We would much rather focus on the Hallmark-esque version filled with family, friends, joy, and peace than hear about how children were massacred by a tyrant in the name of power and control. Pastor Stephanie encourages us to recognize that God is with us when Christmas and life don’t meet the Hallmark standard. Like “Auld Lang Syne” if we forget the times God shows up in the rubble of life we miss out on the opportunity to find comfort when the Hallmark movie set begins to crumble around us.
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There is so much in this world that can leave us feeling discouraged, lonely or afraid. One of the reasons the church exists is to remind us that Jesus is there with us. We need that repeated reminder.