Email from Mike Brown, Kansas Reflecting on Family, Friendships, and So Many Blessings This Beautiful Christmas Season.     Merry Christmas! Christmas, both ancient and perpetually new, is a true story marked by quiet obedience and radiant courage. It is the timeless story of a righteous man who trusted God without complete understanding, of a young woman who answered an angelic summons with faith, humility, and resolve, and of a tender child whose divine birth irrevocably altered the course of human history. In the silent stillness of Bethlehem, the infinite vastness of eternity stepped backward into human time. God took on flesh, dwelt among us, shared in our suffering, and, through a love beyond human comprehension, set in motion the redemption of all the world. In the birth of Jesus Christ, heaven touched earth, and hope took on a human face. Our God sent his only son to save us. As Scripture proclaims with sublime simplicity: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” — Luke 2:11 The comfort of knowing this is true makes enduring life’s trials easier. As our family gently steps back from the pageantry that ushered us toward this sacred day, we pause with grateful hearts. We are profoundly thankful to walk this road of life alongside you—to share its milestones and its trials, its laughter and its quieter, formative moments. Your presence in our lives is no small gift. With my amazing mother doing surprisingly well and living a fully independent life and my dad still traveling and doing well along with my “outlaws” doing good, we have much to be thankful for this Christmas to be sure. In this holy season of gathering and reflection, we hold you and your family close in our thoughts and prayers. Your friendship, prayers, and steadfast support have sustained us throughout the year, woven forever into our days in ways both visible and unseen. Life’s journey is richer, steadier, and more meaningful because it is shared withaith, grace, and generosity. We look ahead with hopeful anticipation to the year yet to come. The days before us promise new friendships, fresh callings, and opportunities not yet imagined. There will be laughter—some ringing and exuberant, some gentle and reflective—and there will be moments that call for boldness, courage, patience, and compassion. Through it all, we will take comfort in the assurance that we do not walk alone. May the promise delivered in a silent manger—the gift of God’s Son, our Savior Jesus Christ—bring you comfort and confidence, binding us together in faith and love until the day we are joined again in the chorus of angels in the presence of our loving and merciful God. And finally, with a heart full of gratitude, I share with you these five simple words I speak aloud each day and before I fall asleep every night: “Thank you, God. For everything.” May the abundant blessings of Almighty God—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—rest upon you this Christmas and always. Amen. With peace and heartfelt Christmas blessings from us and ours to you and yours, Mike and Kristi Brown   Mike Brown | P.O. Box 14004 | Lenexa, KS 66285 US Unsubscribe | Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice