We find peace knowing that God is with us in our challenges.

Does this equation look familiar to you?

Isolation + a Challenging Circumstance + Christmas = a Disaster of Emotions

Let's modify that equation a bit:

Community + a Challenging Circumstance + Christmas = a Different Perspective

We are not alone. God is near, and so are His people.

Connect with both.

Jesus is a game-changer on all fronts!

Often, unexpected plans (including pain) have a purpose, and it's not just for you -- it is for others as well.

The way of Jesus is humility.

The way of Jesus is not one of seeking your own honor, it’s of honoring others.

Jesus taught us a lot about Gratitude.

* Gratitude is more about perspective than it is about proximity.

* Gratitude negates betrayal.

* When we are ungrateful, we will do things regretful.

* Gratitude can be expressed by words and actions.

* We are grateful for an invitation to sit at Jesus' table.

The Ten Principles of Hurt & Forgiveness from Joseph's Life:

1. Hurt people, hurt people.

2. It's okay to have an emotional response to emotional hurt.

3. We decide in private how to respond in public.

4. Nothing good comes from fighting fire with fire.

5. Forgiveness often requires proximity.

6. Forgiveness can be one-sided.

7. If we avenge people for wrongdoings, we undermine the work of transformative grace.

8. Our pain often becomes our purpose.

9. Forgiveness takes time.

10. Forgiveness rewrites our story.

Kindness takes action.

Kindness breaks cultural assumptions.

Kindness is often reciprocated.

How we pray is woven into how we live.

We should be devoted to the power of prayer.

We should reach people by word and deed.

We need each other to remain faithful to Jesus.

The Church needs the spiritual grit to remain faithful until the end, paired with spiritual grace to point people to Jesus.

1. As a church, we strive to live like Jesus relationally. 

2. As a church, we strive to worship Jesus authentically. 

* We worship authentically when we are at peace with each other. 

* We worship authentically out of a grateful heart. 

* We worship authentically when we preach the message of Jesus.  

3. As a church, we strive to take Jesus with us daily. 

* The Cross gives us a new perspective.

* The Cross commands a new lifestyle.

* The Cross is an unrestricted invitation.

There are three types of people who are listening to this message today:

1. Those who would say, "The Cross changed my life."

2. Those who would say, "The Cross is changing my life."

3. Those who would say, "I have yet to respond to the Cross."

What group do you fall into?