Greetings PPN families, 

Can you believe that there are only a few days left of school!? It seems as if this year has just flown by. But I am excited, just as you might be, because it means Christmas is right around the corner. It might be cliche, but it is definitely my favourite holiday. Not only is it a time that we get to spend with family and friends, giving one another gifts and sharing meals around the table (eating maybe a little too much), it's a time we all come together to celebrate the amazing gift of Jesus’ birth.

I've definitely been enjoying the Christmas feelings in the air, with the amazing Christmas Carols Concert we had last Friday, where our wonderful community gathered to sing, eat, and fellowship together. Personally, for the past couple of nights I have been sitting on the floor of my lounge wrapping gifts, I get excited imagining their faces as they see what I’ve gotten them. But imagine the faces of Mary and Joseph as they greeted their little gift. 

Picture being a young girl who gets visited by an angel to then be told she will have a son, a son that will bring life, joy, and salvation to the world. That’s a lot for someone to take in during an afternoon. I just get stressed just trying to get my subway order out. But I believe for that reason she was chosen to carry this gift for the world. Mary and Joseph waited 9 months for their little gift, but little did they know, countless generations would be waiting for Him also. 

Now let’s skip ahead a bit. At the beginning of John 14 we see Jesus comforting His disciples. 

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me.” John 14:1 NLT

He spent 40 days with them after His resurrection, encouraging and preparing them to be witnesses for Him throughout the world, because He knew that He would be leaving once more. The disciples no doubt needed that pep talk, having Jesus back to only say goodbye again must not have been easy. But Jesus didn’t leave them emptied handed.

“I am leaving you with a gift — peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 NLT

This gift was not only for the disciples but also something we can claim, for aren’t we also called to be witnesses for Him? 

So, this Christmas as we celebrate together, let us be reminded of the many heavenly gifts we receive and how we can use them to be amazing witnesses of Jesus’ love.

Wishing you the very best for Christmas and I look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Blessings,

Pr Andy.