Nativity & Gifts

The Nativity in Your Neighbourhood!
Our theme for Christmas 2006 is one that could impact all of us as we embrace it this month. That little baby Jesus came into the world and made such a huge impact in Bethlehem that night so long ago, that the world has never been the same. As we read in Matthew 2 about the visitors from the east, we find a simple yet profound contrast between King Herod and the Wise Men. The King was deeply disturbed by this news of a King and yet the Wise Men experienced nothing but Joy. Those who know Jesus and choose to worship him with bowed knee and will, have a joy filled experience and those without Him as Lord...well, you know that there is a large number of people that experience an un-joyful season.
The choice seems to be with you….the reader…! What is your Christmas experience going to look like?
My prayer for everyone at McDermot this Christmas is that the fruit of the Holy Spirit will be demonstrated through our lives in every situation. In the shopping centre...let there be men and women of McDermot that walk in peace, and patience, and goodness and kindness. In the company gatherings and family dinners, let there be men and women of McDermot that exercise self-control and demonstrate faithfulness.
I believe it is one great way of bringing The Nativity To Your Neighbourhood!
“But the fruit of the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things.” Galatians 5:22-23
Pastor Brian

Don’t Leave A Gift Unopened!
Christmas Eve is shaping up to be a great event of worship with sight and sound communicating the story of Christmas. The instruments are being polished, the choir is rehearsing, and the plans are in place for hot chocolate and cider. There are even some additional, never to be seen before effects that are being planned for this great evening.

One of the key participants this year will be you. That’s right, the person who regularly attends our worship service and calls McDermot their home for corporate worship. As we open the doors of our church building to friends and visitors from the community, you play a very important role in
helping make them feel at home. Expect people who don’t look like you! Expect people who don’t know where they are supposed to go or where the washrooms are or if they are to be very serious or casual about the evening.

I like to envision Joseph and Mary on that first night. The shepherds came to see the baby and I think that the nativity family would have been very open with having them come in and make themselves at home. Whenever a baby is born, it seems that the most gracious hosts are the parents themselves. So consider yourself a parent in our Church family and love everyone who comes.

As you know, along with your friends, we will be inviting many people through door to door, face to face invitations and I expect many to come. As the place fills with people, it may become necessary for some to move from the sanctuary to the overflow area in the lower Kidz Church area and participate in the service from that location.
We’ll have someone to host the area and we’ll make sure that we have candles as well. It might just prove to be a smaller, more intimate setting that creates a special experience for you this Christmas. As you hold your candle watching the scene unfold upstairs, it might be good to remember that there was no room in Bethlehem that first night either.
May God bless you and guide us this Christmas Eve as we present a Special Christmas Eve Celebration to honour our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Looking forward to a full house on Christmas Eve.

Pastor Brian