Jim Lewellen

Christmas is often described as the season of joy. We sing about it, decorate for it, and greet one another with it. Yet for many, joy at Christmas can feel elusive. The pressures of family expectations, financial strain, grief, or loneliness can make joy seem more like a command than a reality. The good news of Christmas, however, reminds us that true joy is not something we manufacture—it is something we receive.

As autumn settles in and Thanksgiving approaches, many of us find ourselves gathering around tables filled with food, family, and familiar traditions. Yet for Christians, Thanksgiving is far more than a national holiday

Every church has a statement or motto that captures its heart and vision. For us, those three simple words— “Growing with God” —sum up...