Dear (INSERT NAME)
Grace and peace to you as we embark on a journey of reflection, meditation, worship, and service over the course of the next several weeks.
The Lenten season differs in many ways from the Advent season: we don’t have a hanging of the greens, we don’t sing carols, and instead of anticipating the birth of the Christ child, we prepare ourselves for His death and resurrection.
New Year Greetings!
As we begin another year, I wanted to take this opportunity to share some words of encouragement with you from the Word of God.
So often, we “over promise” on our New Year Resolutions! At least I have found that's something that I have done in the past. We resolve to lose weight, read the Bible and pray every day, stop being so cranky, be more thankful, and the list could go on and on.
Yet, it seems Paul the Apostle had an excellent approach in the Word of God as he wrote to the Philippian believers. This scripture is often shared at the beginning of the year because there is a powerful truth in it!
New Year Greetings!
There's a beautiful scripture I would like to share with you that no doubt you have read or sung at one point in your walk with the Lord. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the LORD has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it.”
While I have little doubt that the vast majority of us are happy to see the year (YEAR) in the “rear-view mirror,” so to speak, we know that the simple changing of a calendar will not fix everything wrong in our world.
Warm Christian Greetings! John 1:14 says: And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
We do not need to be “shy” or even “politically correct” about it! He has done so much for us, and while we could never repay Him, we do offer our lives as living sacrifices to be used for His glory. (Romans 12:1)
What a wonderful blessing it is to know the Christ of Christmas! While so many in the world move toward the statement “Happy Holidays”, we as Christians know that the Christmas Season is truly the time we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
I wanted to take this opportunity to send this letter to you and your family as we once again enter another year of potential and possibilities!
As we enter this year with optimism about the things which lie ahead, as well as the knowledge our Lord will lead and guide us, we also realize there will be moments of great challenge as we move forward.