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A Different Christmas by Jack Winkle
Thanksgiving is here and Christmas is coming. I am always grateful for this time of year that so often serves as a "reset" for most of the world. I look past the commercialization that everyone talks about and give thanks for the many visual reminders that we are entering a special time of the year - a time when we celebrate God's greatest gift to the entire world.
But, this year, we're facing a dark menace rarely seen in this world. Who would have thought we'd be where we are today? And I'm not even talking about COVID and the lockdowns. It's the anger... the animosity we see in the world around us. The inability to get along with others - let alone love them - is at a level I don't think any of us have ever seen before. Simply put, we need to examine our relationships with others - with each other as believers and with those around us who do not worship God. We need to reflect on the importance and the necessity of loving one another as God commands us.
This week, as I sat down at my desk to work on the Sunday message, I took my hat off and saw again this reference on the side: "Hebrews 10:24," which is, "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works." The focus is on others, not ourselves. To stir up love, to encourage us and to know the height and depth and breadth of God's love, which He has given us, and then to lavish that love on one another. Paul describes that love in 1 Corinthians 13. It's patient. Kind. Not envious or proud. Gentle. Humble. Directed for the benefit of others, not for our own selfishness. Best of all, that kind of love never fails.
Today, in the world around us, we see so much blind hatred. We need to love one another. It can be hard, but it's not impossible. For God, nothing is hard. For us - with God - all things are possible. God bless you, and have a joyous Christmas!
Jack Winkle is the lead pastor for Calvary Chapel Golden Valley 755-7891

Truth Worth Celebrating Every Year
by Garrett Siemsen
In the early church it was debated - heatedly! - whether Jesus was fully human. It had already been concluded, on the basis of Scripture, that he was fully God. But that begged the question: If Jesus is God, could he really be fully human?
Questions like that can seem like theological hair-splitting. But the reason it mattered was stated succinctly by an archbishop named Gregory of Nazianzus: "That which He has not assumed, He has not redeemed." Said differently, the way God has redeemed humanity is by taking human nature onto himself - and not just part of human nature, but all of it.
The year of 2020 has shown us, if nothing else, the frailties and frustrations of human nature. We are vulnerable to disease, susceptible to suffering, limited in our understanding and not sure who to trust. In other words, we are not God.
And yet, the truth we celebrate at Christmas is that God, in the person of Jesus, has taken all these weaknesses on himself and, in doing so, has redeemed them. So instead of separating us from our Maker, in Jesus they become means through which we become one with Him. And instead of causing human hearts to be fearful or frustrated, in Jesus they point us to where real confidence and peace are found - namely, in the God who has joined himself to our weakness, that we might entrust ourselves to his power.
It seems this is a truth worth celebrating every year, but perhaps this year especially. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas.
Pastor Garrett Siemsen of Christ Lutheran Church 259-0200

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Are You Ready for Christmas?
by Michelle Andrews
Christmas will be here soon. Are you ready? Not the decorating, shopping, cooking and obligatory trips to the post office to mail gifts. Are you ready for what this season means? The holidays are difficult for some. Grief and loneliness are painful. The pandemic has isolated us from friends and loved ones. There is anxiety and fear about what the future holds. These are honest feelings and in many ways, the holidays make us feel them even more deeply.
Faith promises us the gift of hope every day and especially in this season. Jesus' birth more than 2,000 years ago made a way to know and experience God's unfailing love, joy and peace. These are gifts that we all need - maybe this year more than ever before.
Valencia UMC invites you to join us for a Blue Christmas service. The digital service will be December 14 at 7pm. It will be a service of comfort and hope. We want you to know that you are not alone.
Michelle Andrews is the associate pastor of Valencia United Methodist Church. 255-1301

No Snowflakes this Year by Dave White
They say it's time for snowflakes. If you're talking snow crystals in the air, I say bring it. Californians could use a little snow and winter wonder this holiday season. But if you're talking about fragile people, I say forget it.
We're already living in the land of Snowflakes, Safe Zones and Censored Speech. Sociologists tell me that the new term "snowflake" refers to someone whose constitution and character is more delicate than a corn flake. They're someone who appears to be easily broken, shattered or damaged. Someone who is delicate and debilitated, brittle and breakable, feeble, flimsy and frail.
It's a derogatory slang term for a hypersensitive, irrational person; who has an inflated sense of uniqueness; an unwarranted sense of entitlement; an overly-emotional, easily-hurt, easily-offended disposition; an inability to deal with opposing opinions; and an intolerance of those who challenge their worldviews.
Look! You're no snowflake. None of us are. We're made to be tough and tenacious, robust and resilient. You were not fashioned for fragility. You're image-bearers of God. No matter what, don't let anything ruin your holiday season. Merry Christmas!
Pastor Dave White of The Bridge thebridgescv.com

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Happy Hanukkah
A Reminder that Change is Constant
by Jay Siegel
The Jewish High Holy Days are an extremely busy time for Jews worldwide. The holidays - with their spiritual connections, rituals, themes, symbols and commitments - occupy the better part of an entire month. Yes, one month is dedicated to the spiritual development of a community and the individuals included in it.
Heshvan, the month immediately following the holidays, is a unique month in that there are no holidays. It is an entire month devoted to routine and the ordinary - a time to reset. Spiritually, a change was made over the holidays - and now is the time to practically apply that transformation.
As we enter the winter months, we are reminded through nature that change is a constant. The weather changes, the days are shorter and the plant life is clearly in transition. This change reminds us to reset and take responsibility for our spiritual life and growth. To take responsibility means an action is taken. What actions can be taken that acknowledge we are committed to spiritual change and transformation? In taking these actions now, we prepare ourselves for the rebirth of spring.
Rabbi Jay Siegel of Congregation Beth Shalom 254-2411