EXTRA! EXTRA!

Today I received Good News. My daughter had a spot on her eye, and an optometrist recommended that we take her to an ophthalmologist because it went beyond their expertise. It is moments like those when you can be consumed with fear and just filled with anxiousness to get to the specialist, and all you long for is good news. To keep it short, that is exactly what we received...good news. We left the doctor's office smiling, and in peace that it was not what our minds were trying to tell us it might be. What was it like in the field that night when the Angels busted open the heavens to bring news to a few shepherd that the answer to their lives and to the entire world was being born?

There was a time in our history when young boys and men would stand at the intersections of city street corners and shout, "Extra! Extra! Read all about it!" It was used to draw people's attention to the latest news -- some of it good news and some of it troubling news. It was thousands of years ago when the divine made a whole earthly proclamation. This announcement was GOOD NEWS! The news was centered around God's desire to be part of man's daily life, connecting the Creator God to His most prize creation...humanity. Up to this point, before the divine announcement of Christ being born and of God bursting on the scene, the heavens were silent. Why the announcement? What would provoke God to become human and be born in such a messed up environment? God's design and reason was focused on communicating, "I love you -- it is you I love." He was saying back then, and it's still true today, that His love isn't based on what you do. His love is based on who He is. His intrusion into humanity was to serve as "Good News to all people" by proclaiming "Your Savior is Born" and "He will bring peace and restoration to all people." I hope you will not leave this gift wrapped up but that you will instead unwrap the greatest Gift God has given you.

To all Christ followers, this is the time when people are open to go to Church more than any other time on the calendar year outside of Easter. Amazingly, both times are centered around Jesus Christ. Let me encourage you to find a Christmas Eve service. Invite friends to join you who have discovered the reason for the birth of Jesus and share that moment with them. If you live in the Orlando area, stop by the Omni this Wednesday, December 24th, and spend some time with family and friends to hear why this is more than just a baby in a manger; it is God's message of love to you and to the world. We have an opportunity so let's make the most of this time. Go to our website at www.celebratechurch.org.

May this be your most memorabel Christmas ever as you discovery God's amazing love for you and you experience His gift to you...Jesus Christ.