Beloved Friend in Christ,

When my family and I immigrated to the United States in 1995, in more ways than one I experienced a sort of a culture shock. Many things are high tech. It took me sometimes to learn and familiarize myself on how to use them. I was also amazed of the affluence and abundance of almost everything. Food is cheap and abundant. Clothes, shoes, toys are affordable by almost everyone.

When our economic situation improved I began to buy some presents to send to our folks back in the Philippines. Many times I could not send these gifts I bought to the Philippines right away. I stored them in a corner, a shelf or in a closet - in a place that is out of my sight. One day I bought a gift for my brother who lives in Manila. It is a beautiful Movado watch which I learned my brother had wanted. I planned to send the gift for his birthday. Unfortunately I totally forgot that I bought something for my brother. When I remembered it, his birthday was already over. I had to wait for another year.

Gifts must be used. If it is stored in a shelf or closet, it is useless. Gifts when comes from the heart represents the love of the giver. The giver's joy is meaningful and complete when his/her gift is used by the recipient.

Christmas God gave the best gift of all - God's only Son Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, like any other gifts, must be received and put to great use. Of course we cannot treat Jesus Christ like a gift of watch. If we were to receive Jesus, we must embrace who he is and do his will. Jesus life becomes our way of life. When this happens our lives become a continuation of God's greatest gift of all - our Lord Jesus Christ. In our own small way we become lovers of the lost, the least and the last. We seek to be forgiven and   forgiving people. We work for justice while loving every one we meet in the path of life. We will never rest until we are able to brighten the corner where God puts us light our little candle. In fact our rest and peace is found only in loving and caring for the least and the "unlovable" members of Christ's family. This kind of gift need not be expensive and can be shared by anyone. After all this is the meaning of Christmas - of true gift giving. We are the best gifts that we can give to anyone - to our husband or wife, to our son or daughter, to our neighbor or friend, to an acquaintance or a stranger we meet on the street. This is the kind of gift that never goes out of style. It is good in the times of economic boom and in times of deep recession or great depression.

In closing, I would like to invite to attend one or all of our life transforming worship services this Christmas season -

• Communion Service - Sunday at 8 a.m.
• Blended Service - Sunday at 10:15 a.m.
• Contemporary Service - December 20 at 10:15 a.m.
• Master's Meal (service and dinner) - starts at 4 p.m.
• Blue Christmas Service - December 19 at 4 p.m.
• Candlelight Christmas Eve Service - 7 and 11 p.m.

MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.

With all my love and prayers,

Pastor Juancho

Click here to read the weekly reflections of the pastor.