Third Thursday: Merry Christmas, Friend!
This season, may your heart rest in the unshakable beauty of God’s love—a love that meets us in every season and fills even the darkest moments with light. As Paul reminds us in Philippians 4,
“The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The stillness of that holy night in Bethlehem is a vivid picture of this peace, reminding us that God’s presence is enough to quiet our fears and sustain our hope.
C.S. Lewis once wrote, “A stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.” In that humble stable, eternity touched earth, and the infinite wrapped itself in the fragile. This is the wonder of Christmas: the Creator coming near to His creation, offering not just a story but a promise — one that reminds us that His love is greater than anything we face. Whatever difficulty, stress or pain this season may hold for you, the birth of Christ is a reminder that our struggles are not wasted and no season is without purpose. Christ's birth shows us how God works through the suffering of life and turns our hardships into opportunities for grace. Joy, after all, is not rooted in ease but in the deep assurance of Emmanuel—God with us.
This Christmas, we have so much to be joyful about–Christ's coming and in the ways He continues to work in and through His church. In 2024, with your prayers and generosity, we saw new churches established in Denver, New Jersey, San Diego, Germany, Seattle, and Romania. Beacons of light in cities across the world, testaments to God’s faithfulness and the power of the gospel. And we look forward with hope and excitement to 2025 for new churches in Paris, New England, New York City, New Orleans, New Zealand, Milwaukee, St. Petersburg, and Austin. We are trusting that He will raise up even more places where His name will be glorified and His love made known.
We hope this fills your heart with gratitude and expectancy! The Savior has come, and His work continues. As we celebrate His birth, we also anticipate the growth of His kingdom with joy and confidence, knowing He will accomplish immeasurably more than we can ask or imagine. Merry Christmas, dear friend. Thank you for all times you’ve prayed with us this year! May His peace guard you, His joy fill you, and His love compel you to live boldly for His glory.
Cheers to the King!
Paolo
You
Pray for these new churches coming in 2025:
• Paris
• Austin