A child is born in Bethlehem!

Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year!!!

A couple days ago I was out for a stroll with Zeke and walked past a home. In the center of a very green yard and some pretty rose bushes sat a tree decorated for Christmas. It made me smile. I thought of taking a picture and making a New Zealand Christmas card. Rather than snow, icicles and candles in the window. The reds and greens of Christmas came from the fresh grass and the glow of a blazing sun. I also smiled when I found a New Zealand childrens' book with Santa in shorts and a T-shirt. :)

This year as I think of Christ's coming and the message of hope he embodied, I thank God for being so personal...coming to us in human form as a helpless babe. He cried and crawled and walked and talked "in our shoes."

The evening before last, I started reading through the book of John. In chapter two Jesus does his first miracle. Sometimes I've wondered why his first miracle was something so bizarre and seemingly trivial. Providing enough wine at a wedding. Aren't there worse things in the world than running out of wine at a wedding? As I was reading the story I noticed some things I've never seen before and it filled me with great excitement to see the gospel enfold through this beautiful passage.

Jesus had the servants fill jars with water. The same jars that were used for ceremonial cleansing. Then he turns the water to wine. The water needed for cleansing in order to keep the law is replaced with the blood of Christ. Wine represents Christ's blood as in the Lord's supper. Law is usurped by grace. The servants bring the wine to the master of the banquet and he is satisfied. God, is satisfied with the substitute Lamb of God. The servants see the miracle and Christ's disciples see "the glory of God" revealed and place their faith in him. Once again Christ gives front row seats to the babes and the servants in the crowd. Thank you Lord! "Wine gladdens the heart of man." Christ brings hope and joy when it looked as if it had run out. Sometimes I look around and struggle to see the light and the hope but the wine of his presence has not run out. In fact the water turned to wine is "as if he saved the very best for last."

Hearing the gospel with fresh ears makes me want to jump in and be a part of the story he's begun. With a new year comes fresh hope and vigor to follow after Christ.

Andrew's work with Prison Care Ministries is going well. He continues to meet guys and spend hours with them on a day to day basis. Christmas can be a lonely and sad time of year for a man just out of prison who is without family and friends. Please cry out to God that he would powerfully work in the lives of these men and draw them close to Himself.

Lets storm the gates of heaven together with our prayers and praises this Christmas! :)

Much love to you both near and especially far! I miss you and think of you often in these sentimental special days of celebrating our Lord's love. My heart holds you close!