From the Desk of Pastor Kevin Pike | December 2023
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. -John 3:16
At Christmas, we celebrate God’s great outpouring of generosity. With all the activities of the Christmas season, we can be distracted by parties, end-of-the-year deadlines, family, Santa, presents, and the rest. But the most profound significance of Christmas comes down to a gift, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.”
When God decided to give His Son wrapped in flesh and blood, He extended to us the most precious gift He could possibly give. It came with His utter devotion, ultimate humility, and unconditional love. The Lord couldn’t have given more to us than He gave at the manger.
When we realize this, accept the gift, and fully embrace the God who gives it, we also become generous. Generosity breeds generosity. When the shepherds received “good news that will cause great joy for all people,” they reacted by sharing it far and wide. When Simeon received the eight-day-old Jesus in his arms, he responded by blessing Mary and Joseph. We are wired to give when we are given to.
Let me encourage you to receive all the joy, all the blessings, and all the love Jesus has for you this Christmas. If you are having a hard time seeing God’s gifts, slow down and look; they’re there for you. And let me encourage you to be generous in response.
Who is it that needs your encouragement, needs your invitation, needs your service, needs your resources? You have been blessed to be a blessing! Give liberally.
As Christmas approaches, be intentional about inviting people to our Christmas Eve services. People are more apt to accept your invitation at Christmas than at any other time of the year. This is a chance for them to receive God’s great Christmas gift.
Take this opportunity to give to Jesus’ kingdom, expanding work through our churches in the Fearless Family. Giving to our budget or giving a special gift to Close the Gap fuels ministry to our church family and beyond. It sets a foundation for ministry in the months to come. It makes an eternal impact.
This year, my prayer for you is that you receive the gifts Jesus has for you, and in turn, you bless others with your generosity.
Peace,
Kevin Pike
Sr Pastor, Fearless Family of Churches
