Luke 2:1-20
"2 In those days a decree went out from Emperor Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration and was taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 All went to their own towns to be registered. 4 Joseph also went from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the house and family of David. 5 He went to be registered with Mary, to whom he was engaged and who was expecting a child. 6 While they were there, the time came for her to deliver her child. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth, and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn."
“8 In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10 But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid; for see-I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: 11 to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, 14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. 17 When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them."
Dear friends of Churches United …
The above is the Christmas story as told by the Gospel of Luke. Each year during our Christmas Eve service at my church, I get the privilege of reading this story to my congregation, and it fills me with great joy at the prospect of hope it provides.
While this story may not resonate with all of us, I do believe that regardless of your beliefs, it offers joy and the wonderment that impossible things can and do happen.
Some 2,000 years ago, against all odds, God came to earth in the form of a defenseless baby boy. And that boy would grow to revolutionize the care for the underserved, those without voices and those who society forgets.
Regardless of your religious beliefs, I do believe that Jesus' example of how to care for our neighbor should touch each of us in the Churches United family. Whether you are someone who works here, someone who supports CU financially or someone who volunteers here.
Because there is not a more incarnate demonstration of love for our neighbor than the work we do every single day at Micah’s Mission, Bright Sky Apartments, Dorothy Day Food Pantry and soon Silver Linings Apartments, as well.
For those of you who have been supporting and serving Churches United in any way for some time, be it a few years or all 37 of our existence, thank you from the bottom of my heart! I am grateful for each of you! … You continue to make our organization better, and we will work even harder in 2025 to be deserving of your support.
For those of you who more recently joined the Churches United family, despite maybe having known about our recent struggles ... I say thank you to you too! Saying yes to supporting this critical organization at this time is an act of courage and generosity. Your saying yes to support the work at Churches United says you believe that all of our neighbors deserve to be cared for with dignity and compassion. And so, from the bottom of my heart, I am grateful for each of you too!
2025 will be a different year for our organization, from the ground up. Our Leadership Team is committed to excellence in this coming year because we know that we still face many challenges to ensure that Churches United is a vital care giver in this community. And it's going to continue to take hard work to ensure our organization remains on the path to a new dawn.
And I pray that you will continue to walk alongside us in this new year, proud to support an organization that provides shelter to dozens each night and feeds hundreds more of our neighbors each day. Thank you for choosing to become an evangelist for a critical mission that provides hope to our neighbors every single day.
Merry Christmas to each and every member of our Churches United family, whether you work here, serve here or provide support to the organization! ... I am humbled and honored to walk alongside each of you in this very critical mission that we play. Thank you!
Peace and good tidings to you! Merry Christmas!
Pastor Devlyn
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