Merry Christmas to All!

"Do not be afraid! 

For behold, I bring you 

good news 

of

 great joy 

that will be for 

all people:

 Today in the city of David a Savior has been born to you. 

He is Christ the Lord!"

Luke 2:10-11

The good news of Christmas is for *all* people- 

Young and old

Rich and poor

Famous and nameless

Welcome and rejected

Secure and unstable

Content and unsatisfied

Settled and anxious

Righteous and unholy

 

Jesus came for all

The lonely, the homeless, the outcast

The hopeless, the overwhelmed, the afraid

The weak, the weary, the burdened

The brokenhearted, the grieving, the desperate

The hungry, the sick, the suffering

The oppressed, the persecuted, the violated

The critic, the seeking, the lost

The sinner and the saint

Jesus 

God with Us - Emmanuel 

His birth, life, death, resurrection, presence here with us now and promise to come back again is

good news of great joy for all people! 

Jesus 

the Light in a world of darkness  

the Hope of all nations, a living hope 

the Prince of Peace who brings peace in the midst of storms, anxiety & hostility

the Fullness of Joy who makes our joy complete in him

the Love of God come down, who demonstrates perfect love and shows us how to love

the Bread of Life and Living Water who satisfies our souls 

the King of Kings who is in control even when our world seems in chaos 

the Savior who saves us from ourselves and brings salvation from a world in sin 

the Mighty God our strength who sustains us in our weakness and gives us rest 

the Deliverer who rescues us out of our troubles 

the Good Shepherd who cares for and protects his own 

the Healer who healed us by is wounds, and heals us by his power 

the Man of Sorrows who knows our pain and is near to the brokenhearted 

the Wonderful Counselor who comforts us, encourages us, and guides us with wisdom 

the Advocate who stands in our place

the Perfect Judge who is making all things right and avenges the wrongs done 

the Way, the Truth and the Life who offers us abundant life and eternal life

Jesus, you are all this and more

The greatest gift ever given.

May you find hope, peace, joy, and abounding love in Jesus!

Merry Christmas to all!

love,

The Poppens

“I am the light of the world. 

Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen,

the one I love, in whom I delight;

I will put my Spirit on him,

and he will proclaim justice to the nations...

In his name the nations will put their hope.”(Matthew 12:21)

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! 

In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope

 through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead..." (1 Peter 1:3)

"For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given,
    and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
    Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6)

"Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 

And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 

will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)

"For he himself is our peace, 

who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier,

 the dividing wall of hostility..." (Eph. 2:14)

"Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God 

and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him

 and he would have given you living water.'”(John 4:11)

“I am the bread of life. 

Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, 

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35)

"They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph

 over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—

and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”(Revelation 17:14)

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"(Romans 5:8)

"This is how God showed his love among us: 

He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him."(1 John 4:8)

Salvation is found in no one else, 

for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind 

by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28-30)

“I am the good shepherd. 

The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11)

"I have told you this so that my joy may be in you

 and that your joy may be complete."(John 15:11)

"He was despised and rejected by mankind,

a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...

Surely he took up our pain

and bore our suffering...

But he was pierced for our transgressions,

he was crushed for our iniquities;

the punishment that brought us peace was on him,

and by his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)

"And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, 

teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom

 and healing every disease and every affliction."(Matthew 9:35)

"But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, 

Jesus Christ the righteous."(1 John 2:1)

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6)

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10)

Clinging to Jesus and taking hold of abundant life in the midst of 2020