It is a mistake to think the church has a mission.  The church does not have a mission.  God has a mission.  God’s mission has a church.

God’s mission is most clearly evident in Jesus.  In Jesus, the God of creation became a part of the creation to restore an redeem what was lost and had fallen.  This was God’s mission in Jesus, to shine light into darkness, to rescue those caught in it’s power, to begin the work of making all things new.

That’s where we come in.  God invites those rescued from darkness into his mission.  God rescues us and empowers us for the work by giving us himself, by giving us the Holy Spirit.  God extends to us the opportunity to become involved in the work God is doing around us.  What God has done for us God delights to do through us.

But will we, will you, say yes and take the adventure set before us?

And this is why Christmas is such an important story for anyone who says “yes” to the adventure.  Because in the beautiful story of Mary, Joseph, shepherds, wise men, Zacheriah, Elizabeth, Anna, Simeon, and a baby named Jesus, we find examples to consider, inspiration to receive, wisdom to gain, grace to receive, and hope that sustains  as we live into our own part of God’s great mission.

In this season of Advent and Christmas, may you find all that and more!

We’ll gather for worship and to remember the story on Sunday, December 3 at 6:45pm in the St. Johns Room at Faith Community Church, 3450 CR210, 32259.

Hope to see you there!