Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
What a 2021 we have had! As we stepped into the year, we had no idea that God would bless us with a home of our own in Farnborough. We’ve raised over £100,000 towards the building project and given thousands of hours of labour to transform the space. We’ve navigated further lockdowns. We’ve grown through our Wellbeing, Festivals of Israel, Ekklesia, and Creation Care preaching series. We’ve been gathering as small groups, and together for prayer. We’ve been caring for our community through CAP and the Revive projects. And we’ve given 10% of our building fund away to local charities. God is good, and I’m so grateful for the faithfulness of our community leaning into Him.
Before we close the year, I wanted to say a huge well done to each of you and to stir you to make the most of the bank holidays for the Christmas period coming up.
Those of you who have done the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course may be familiar with the principles here, but I’d encourage each of us to take time to do the following over Christmas and New Year:
Stop – With tying up ends at work, Christmas preparations, and added social events in the calendar, many will have been rushing and trying to “finish” everything. I encourage each of us to cease all work — whether paid or unpaid. Switch off your emails and devices. Leave the laundry and forgo the pressure of homemade mince pies. Embrace your limits, leave all types of work at the feet of Jesus and acknowledge that He is on the throne and can run the world without our help.
Rest - Accept God’s invitation to rest. Turn off the news, switch off social media, put your phone on silent. Don’t over-schedule your calendars. Give yourself permission to turn down the event invitation. Sleep in in the mornings. Nap on the sofa. Have an early night. Schedule some “reset” days where you have no plans (and don’t allow these to be hijacked with prep or house admin!) Do the things that restore and replenish you and allow “peace on earth” to fill your holiday.
Delight – In the Christmas season, God invites us to join in the celebration with the rest of creation and to enjoy and delight in His goodness in the world. Do the things that bring you joy and delight. Spend time with those you love. Indulge in the Christmas treats. Go for a Boxing Day walk. Read a feel-good book. Play board games or puzzles with your loved ones. Stream the TV series. Finish the half-done craft project. Burn the fancy candle you’re saving for a special occasion. Enjoy using the presents you’ve been given by people who love you. Let’s savour the invitation to feast and celebrate the good news of the Saviour coming to rescue the weary world.
Contemplate – Take time to withdraw to a quiet place with God and lean into Him. Carve out space in your days to read scripture, pray, put worship music on and be honest with God about where you are at. Notice his goodness in your day to day. Reflect on His faithfulness this year with gratitude and thanksgiving. Bring before him your thoughts and plans for 2022. Ponder the Christmas story and the God who so graciously gave His only Son to the world to rescue us.
Let’s relish the season and not let it pass unnoticed, allowing God to meet with and replenish each one of us.
Lastly, you may have seen on social media, but in light of the rising Covid- 19 cases and current health advice, we have made the decision to pause our in-person gatherings over the Christmas weekend. In lieu of catching up in person, we’re looking forward to connecting together as a church community via the chat at our Christmas Day Online meeting (10am on YouTube or kerith.church/live) and online on Sunday 2nd January. The plan is to return to in-person meetings at Farnborough on Sunday 9th January but we will keep you updated.
Regardless of what 2022 holds, we know that God has good things in store. He is for us and is a faithful Emmanuel.
May you know His grace, joy and peace this Christmas season,
God Bless you mightily.
Love Heather