I’m writing this post just after midnight on Christmas Eve, or Christmas morning, whichever you prefer. I’m excited about what the morning will bring forth, but even as I sit in anticipation of tomorrow’s celebration, I can honestly say I’m extremely content.
I just finished packing gifts up from the basement to the tree, and some bore my name, but I really wouldn’t mind if I were empty-handed at the end of the day. Here is why…
Light has the amazing ability to pierce the darkness around it. It doesn’t take much. I read of a team of skiers who were lost in the Alps of Switzerland. They were rescued because a helicopter was able to spot the light coming from the display of an mp3 player.
ONE GREAT TRUTH: The whole world has been lost and condemned in sin, but Jesus came to pierce the darkness, to the the light of God’s salvation, leading us back into a saving relationship with our Creator.
I wanted to pass along the letter that we’re mailing out to everyone in our church family, just in case someone misses it…
Dear Family and Friends,
We want to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
It’s so hard to believe that 2009 has slipped away so quickly. We continue to feel so blessed under God’s care and are so happy that He has placed us into such a wonderful church family!
The year has brought about some major developments in our family’s life. Angie moved from being a Therapist to teaching Bible in a Christian school, which also meant a change in school for Ella as well. The biggest development, of course, is that we’re now expecting little Samuel David to be born in April of next year.
Within the church, we’ve seen the launch of our food pantry and growth in different areas of the church’s life. We stand amazed at the willingness of people to get involved in seeing lives touched and changed. It’s also been a great privilege to meet new people and welcome them into Bethel this year.
We count it such a joy to serve alongside each of you and can’t wait to see the great things God will do in, around, and through us in the upcoming year
May God bless each and every one of you!
photo credit: alicepopkorn
This article is adapted from my sermon from Luke 2:8-20 from a series on the light of Christmas.
I think most of us can relate to having a “once in a lifetime opportunity.” For me, traveling to Russia on a mission trip was that kind of an opportunity for me. When those moments come along, I wonder how I wound up there, and why it was me.
I think that’s how the shepherds felt the night Jesus was born and the angels showed up by myriads to announce Jesus’ birth to them. Why them? Why there, in the fields? But that was God’s choice. And I really don’t think we fully understand the amazing nature of what happened that night. We’ve heard the story told so many times with the emphasis on the manger scene itself that we don’t realize that the very windows of heaven itself were thrown open with a massive display of the awe-inspiring glory of God.
These ordinary, every day, down-to-earth shepherds were allowed the privilege of beholding the holiest thing anyone has ever seen – the glory of God. When that happens, our lives are changed and our appetites are whet forever!
This article is based on a message from Matthew 2:1-12 from a series on the light of Christmas.
I’m beginning to preach a series of Christmas-oriented messages at Bethel on the theme of Light. It will consist of three messages…
I just wanted to comment briefly about how great this Christmas was. Starting off with the superficial… I got a Wii and a Moleskine. A couple of good friends invested several hours of their lives into helping my wife pull off the Wii sneak attack – I was totally surprised, especially after opening a present that included a check made out to me, from Angie, for a Wii. “Sorry I couldn’t get you one, but when the stores have them again…” Ha, two presents later, from a package wrapped obviously for a woman with ribbons to boot, out pops a Wii! The Moleskine is a close second favorite. To some, it’s just another notebook. To a preacher/writer/designer, it’s a beautiful thing!
Deeper matters? I love my family! I missed seeing my family in Kentucky – my parents, my two grandmothers, my brother and his family – things didn’t feel complete without the full trek to the bluegrass state this year, but I got to talk to many of them by phone. In St. Louis, I got to spend the holiday with my wife and daughter and my in-laws. Angie and I even snuck away late one night to see Seven Pounds with Will Smith.
I’m hurting for the Shults family. Louis and Mary spent the weekend, including Christmas, in the hospital awaiting the doctors who are coming in on Monday with the probability of open heart surgery. Pray for Lou and his family. At the end of it all, I’m glad to be home in Bentonville – this is where God has called me to live my life for God’s purposes, and I’m excited about what the next year will bring!
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Christmas Sermon Series: Good Times
Based on John 1:11-13
ONE GREAT TRUTH: Receiving is more humbling than giving, which is perhaps why so many have never received the free and wonderful gift of eternal life.
Dear Family and Friends,
It seems impossible that three years have passed since we moved our family to northwest Arkansas. . We feel so overwhelmed when we think about all with which God has blessed us since coming home to Bethel.
Ella started the first grade and seems to be coming out of her shell a “little” bit-(she gets that from her daddy). One of our greatest gifts this year was Ella making the decision to place her trust in Christ and accept Him as Savor. We look forward to her baptism in January. Angie continues her work as a therapist with children and families. She faces unique challenges everyday with children and families that have been wounded by this world and it’s a constant reminder that there are hurting people all around us-in need of redemption. In addition to loving ministry as Bethel’s Pastor, Brandon has also taken up the hobby of graphic and web design. In Angie’s words, he “plays on his computer.”
Many of you are aware that we are continually praying and seeking God’s plan for our family- in particular “growing” our family. This year has not been without its difficulties; however a cute little furry dog name Beau was added to the Cox household and he has been sweet comfort for a little girl’s heart who has prayed daily for a brother or sister. Please keep us in your prayers that we will know and embrace the Father’s will for us as a family.
This year we will travel to St. Louis to be with Angie’s family for the Holiday. We look forward to her mom’s great cooking, singing Christmas carols around the piano (yes they really do that) and reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning! We won’t get to travel to Kentucky this year, and we will dearly miss our family and friends there.
This is a season to rejoice-to celebrate God’s great gift to us-Emmanuel! We pray for God’s blessing to be upon each of you this Christmas and throughout the coming new year.
We love you all-
Brandon, Angie, & Ella Grace Cox
The economy has tanked and we’ve elected a Democratic President, but things could be worse (just a joke, folks). I love Christmas and it’s one week away from my posting this little blog. I wanted to pass along some tips for making Christmas interesting this year. You may already do these things, and I don’t do all of them, but they’re worth trying for the fun of it…
Have any to add? Comment below!
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Based on Hebrews 1:1-4
ONE GREAT TRUTH: Jesus came to reveal God, offer forgiveness, and invite us to be His joint heirs and take part in His inheritance forever.
No notes for this one – just the audio above.
Brandon is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. He's a husband to Angie and a Dad to Ella Grace and Samuel David. He's a Pastor to Bethel Baptist Church, Editor of Fuel Your Blogging and also a logo and web designer.
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