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Dear Beloved Church Family,

Merry Christmas, and happy birthday to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Today we celebrate the birth of the One who came among us not in power or privilege, but in vulnerability and love. The Christ child entered the world as a refugee. His earthly parents, Mary and Joseph, were forced to flee their homeland to keep their child safe. This was not a choice made lightly. Joseph’s lineage traced back to David, and their ancestral home carried deep meaning and history. Yet safety for their child mattered more than place, pride, or tradition.

Imagine how many of today’s refugees and immigrants would long to remain in their ancestral homelands if doing so did not place their families in danger. The flight of Mary and Joseph echoes that same reality. Who among us would not do everything possible to protect a child from the wrath of a tyrant?

Scripture tells us, “An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, ‘Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt…’” (Matthew 2:13). Their departure was born of fear and necessity, but also of trust—trust that God was still present, still guiding, still faithful. And later, it was again by divine guidance that they returned home when it was safe to do so (Matthew 2:19–21).

The tyrants of our own time are not always a single ruler or regime. They often take the form of corruption, greed, violence, displacement, and fear. Yet the Christmas story reminds us that God does not stand apart from these realities. God enters them. God takes on flesh. God dwells with those who are vulnerable.

And still, this is a story of joy.

The angel’s words ring out across the centuries: “Do not be afraid; for see—I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people” (Luke 2:10). Christmas proclaims that hope is born even in the midst of uncertainty. Love takes root even when the world feels unstable. Light shines, and the darkness does not overcome it.

As you celebrate the birth of Christ, may you do so with gratitude for the sacrifices made to bring life and hope into the world. May your hearts be filled with joy, humility, and renewed commitment to care for the vulnerable, welcome the stranger, and trust that God is still at work among us.

Christ is born. Hope is alive. God is with us.

As you gather with loved ones, share meals, laughter, music, and quiet moments of reflection, may you feel the deep comfort of God’s presence among you. May your homes be filled with warmth, your spirits be lifted by grace, and your days be touched by small and holy moments of peace. The miracle of Christmas is not only that Christ was born long ago, but that Christ continues to be born in acts of kindness, compassion, and love today.

May this season remind you that you are deeply loved, never forgotten, and held by a God who delights in dwelling with us.

With grace and peace,
Rev. Gilbert