This will be the last E-News of 2019! As we wind up the year, it’s important to focus on the importance of Christmas. I have to admit that I sometimes see myself as almost a Scrooge about Christmas and everything our busy world does that hides the real importance of what we celebrate. Behind many of the symbols of Christmas there is a profound message, but we lose it when we fail to see Christ in the true meaning.

As we celebrate the coming of our Savior, we must acknowledge the wonderful sacrifice he made in becoming like us to provide our salvation. And let’s remember the following passages as we celebrate:

• Philippians 2:5-8 (NASB): Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
• John 1:1-5: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
• John 1:14-18: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has a higher rank than I, for He existed before me.’” For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

May your Christmas be filled with the wonder, awe and worship of our Savior Jesus Christ!

From all of us at Advent Christian General Conference, we wish you a merry Christmas and a wonderful new year!