Youthquest

Saturday, December 17, 2011

YOUTHQUEST BANQUET

Last night we had our Christmas Youth and Family Banquet. With over 70 people attending, it was a great night of celebration.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

JUNIOR HIGH SUNDAY SCHOOL

Sunday December 11, 2011

The NeverEnding Story (2): participate in

The birth of Jesus demanded a response. Two thousand years later, the presence of God, the arrival of Jesus, still demands a response. Even people who have never set foot inside a church know the reason for Christmas—that we are celebrating the birth of Jesus—but everyone, us included, seems to sort of ignore it when it comes down to it. In our culture, Christmas is more of an event about who gets what and making sure we are clear when asking for what we want. The truth is, our experiences with Christmas are more cultural than biblical.

The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35 NIV).

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said” (Luke 1:38 NIV).

And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers” (Luke 1:46-55 NIV).

In sending His Son, God was doing more than just fulfilling His promise. He was sending a message: “Once you have responded to Me, will you now participate with Me?”

God’s vision is about making things the way they should be. The beautiful thing about the Christmas story is that God’s vision for the world is still ongoing. It’s a story that didn’t just happen thousands of years ago—it is still going on, it’s never-ending. We need to focus this year on what we give, on what we are able to offer, on how we are able to participate in God’s picture, and not on what we get.

Christmas can remain a relic of the past or it can be something more. We can participate, and we can give.

It’s a story that never ends.