Are you familiar with the metric called the “Total Fertility Rate (TFR)”? Very simply, it is the average number of children a woman would have if she survives all her childbearing years (between 15-49 years old). For a nation to maintain its population, it needs a TFR of 2.0. But in most of the developed world today, that number is below 2.0. Apparently, because of how messed-up our world is, many people are choosing not to have children these days. All I know is… I’m sure glad that when God looked down upon this messed-up world, He still chose to have a child. And this Sunday, we’ll ask and answer the questions about what difference it makes that Jesus was born… God with us.

Have you ever had to move and say goodbye to some close friends? The Apostle Paul did. After spending three years in Ephesus, he developed some close relationships with the people there – particularly with the Elders of the church. So, in Acts 20, it came time for him to say his final goodbye; and, in those parting words, we are reminded of the true spirit of Christmas. I look forward to sharing them with you this Sunday.