Merry Christmas and a most Blessed New Year!

December 31, 2013

7th Day of Christmas

To all of our Family and Friends,

A very Merry Christmas and a most Blessed New Year!

As we reflect back on 2013, we are thankful for what the Lord has done in us, through us, for us, and in spite of us….we serve and love an awesome God! One morning this past Advent during our morning devotions, this scripture from Luke 2:40 captured Joe’s thoughts…“And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.”

So often we don’t think about this part of the Christmas story. Nicely tucked in with all the drama of the shepherds, angels, and animals. Several days pass and we are at the temple where Simeon blessed Jesus, Joseph and Mary; and Anna prophesied over the little one who was Immanuel, God with us. So much in that sentence. “The child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was with him.”

First of all, “the child grew.” I often wonder if I have allowed Jesus to grow in me. It’s easier to keep him as a child, to take care of him, to wait on him and not realizing who he really is. It’s just easier to tell him what to do than to let him grow up and be the one he was intended to be…..Lord of Lords and King of Kings….Immanuel, God with us.

At this time of the year, it is truly hard to imagine Jesus for who he really is. We in the West are dominated by the secular Christmas events. It’s a time of the year where a lot of businesses hope and pray that they can end the year in the black. Unfortunately, our Advent and early Christmas seasons are filled with events that can very easily distract us from the true meaning of Christmas, that God came to save mankind. And the only way that could be possible, was that God had to become man….born of a woman. What a risk God made! Would the child grow up to be who he was created to be? The same question applies to each of us as well: will we become the person that we were created to be? A big risk indeed.

In recent years, I’ve become more aware of those who have never had the opportunity to have heard the Christmas story. How sad it is to never have heard and even sadder for those who have heard and not believed! We have been privileged to have been told the story and the difference it has made in the lives of many people. But with the privilege, there comes the responsibility of letting others know. It’s not just about me or us; it is about the saving grace for ALL people.

So, our prayer for you and your family is that in 2014 you may grow and become strong; filled with wisdom and the grace of God. May you encounter those who do not know this Christ Child so that you can share the reason for this Blessed Christmas Season.

We love this time of the year because we receive cards, emails, and photos allowing us to “catch up” on you and your family. Thank you for keeping in touch! Our family has grown by two this year. Paul and Marie welcomed Colton Rhodes Jones on May 3 and Simon and Stacey welcomed Noa Tavita Joseph Fua on December 13. We now have 9 grandchildren (5 boys and 4 girls).

Paul and Marie still live in Sumter, SC with their 4 children. Daniel and Kerry live in North Lakes, Australia (just north of Brisbane) with their 2 boys. Simon and Stacey live in Sydney, Australia with their 3 children, but will be moving to Melbourne, Australia in the next month. Brooks and Ansley live in Columbia, SC and our “ultima” (Spanish for the baby or last child) is living in New York City and is attending AMDA (American Musical and Dramatic Academy).

We continue to serve the Lord in Tegucigalpa, Honduras at St. Mary’s Bilingual School. Thanks again to all who support us through prayer and finances. We are grateful for your help in this Kingdom work. So, in 2014, “Go and make disciples of all Nations…” (Matthew 28.19) and where you are needed, go serve and be blessed to be a Blessing!!

We love you,

Fr. Joe and Tina