We have permission to disturb the land! Hooray! We have received official permission from the governing authorities so that we can begin site preparation on our property for the new building. This will begin taking place today! I am so grateful to the members of our New Building Committee who have spent countless hours making this happen. Now we can complete the vision so many of you have given so generously to. Sometime around next July we should be finished.

I think the phrase "Land Disturbance Permit" is kind of strange - especially the word "disturbance." In many cases to "disturb" something is usually not good. That's why they have those signs around hospitals and hanging from hotel doors that say "DO NOT DISTURB."
 
This week I am working on my message for Christmas Eve. It will be based on the story from Matthew's gospel about the birth of Jesus and the visit of the magi. It says that when King Herod finds out another king has been born who will be the king of the Jews, Herod was "disturbed." For Herod, this disturbance was not a good thing (like our Land Disturbance Permit). For him it was a bad thing. So he began making plans to take care of this "disturbance" and get rid of the new king. But even Herod's evil plans could not stop God's plan for the new king to be born. This king would usher in a new kingdom - God's kingdom - that would transform the world and all of history. Today there are more Christians in the world than any other faith. Sometimes a disturbance turns out to be a good thing.
 
I hope you are planning to come to Caroling, Cookies, and Cocoa tonight -- beginning at 5:45 p.m. for caroling and 6:45 p.m. for a free dinner, followed by cookies and cocoa. When you come, look for some signs of the land being "disturbed." It is a glimpse of things to come - maybe in the same way the birth of Christ is a glimpse of God's coming kingdom.

Prayer for Today

God of all creation, we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, in the form of a little child -- as the new king of this world. We know that many good things start small; but like a mustard seed, they grow to be great. For this we say thank you! In the strong name of Jesus the Christ we pray. Amen.