The love of God is hard to fathom and understand. When Jesus attempts to explain this love to his followers, he tells a story describing the love of a father. God loves like a father. God does not ask us to earn his love; he receives us with grace. Because of our experiences, this might be hard to believe, but you are never too far or too broken to experience the love of God.

God is love. This truth permeates every aspect of our faith and our understanding of God and his relationship with his children. And God’s love is not fake or forced. The believer can embrace his perfect love, even if their experiences with other people have left them skeptical. Through the picture of a shepherd, we discover a deeper understanding of God's love for us.

As we finish out one of the most challenging years many of us have ever faced and look ahead to what might be in front, we are reminded that in the middle of all of it, we find the strength of God. Even when we feel pressure on all sides, we can still stand strong!

Welcome to Christmas Eve at Mill Creek! No matter what the circumstances of your life might be in this moment, we hope you will be encouraged that light has come. That light brings life and overcomes the darkness!

Jesus’s birth ushered in a new era that would reveal the hearts of people and affect all of humanity. Some would accept him, others would despise his truth. The birth of Christ has given us the opportunity to have transformed hearts, minds, and actions. This was always his one and only passion, to make us new.

A major theme at Christmas is the idea of peace. Peace in our world. Peace in our hearts. Though he is the Prince of Peace, Jesus’s life was wrought with challenging circumstances from the moment he was born. But even in the midst of chaos, we find hospitality and generosity that helps bring peace into our challenging world.

When we hear the word "home" at Christmas, it can bring all sorts of memories and pictures to mind. The way our childhood homes were decorated for the holiday. The special places that we traveled to like a grandparent's home or other family member. The birth of Jesus ushered in the message of a new kingdom but this wouldn't be an earthly one that most expected. It would be an everlasting kingdom, the promise of a new home for all who believe.

The Christmas season is more than just decorations or gifts, it also brings with it a whole set of songs, themes and ideas. Most of them center around creating and expecting a wonderful, perfect holiday season. But often our experience is anything but wonderful. Through the messy tension of the experience of Mary and Joseph, we find encountering Jesus gives the believer strength in difficulty—and a reason to celebrate.

Churches and pastors sometimes get the reputation that all they seem to talk about is money. But generosity is what defined the early church and it should define the church today. It's not about money, it's about understanding the generous grace that has been shown to us and how we share that grace with others.