‘Tis the Season
For many, the Christmas season is a season of joy! This is by design. When the birth announcement was made by a spokes-angel of the angelic host to a few lowly shepherds over 2000 years ago, their message was one of great joy! “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people.” God so loved His creation—specifically those He created in His image and likeness—that He wanted, and wants, the very best for us! Good News! Great joy! For all the people!
It should not be overlooked that this message was delivered to shepherds on third shift, most likely the least desired and lowest position. But that was intentional on God’s part to show He was serious about this message being good news of great joy for all the people.
And yet in our world today, and especially in Central Wisconsin, we find that the large majority of people are living either oblivious to the good news, or in rejection of the good news, which means they have anything but great joy! But all of you have contributed to reversing this phenomenon. Your support of Bridge Street Mission, via your donations of time, resources, and funds have given the mission an opportunity to bring this good news of great joy to people—who are part of “all the people”—who desperately need it. Some have recognized their need and have received the good news. Others have heard it and are still under the delusion that it is not good news and it’s too boring to bring great joy! And yet, they are here at Bridge Street Mission because reality has shown them their way does not work. It hasn’t resulted in good news or great joy.
As we finish the year, God has graciously prepared the way for an exciting new year! We recently were awarded a grant of $15,000 by Connexus Cares to further address homelessness in our area by establishing a twelve bed 30-day shelter. This is good news of great joy for them! And it provides for their current physical need, so that we –staff and volunteers—can share the good news of great joy that addresses their spiritual need, a need some do not yet realize they have. Yes, the good news of great joy for all the people—news and joy we celebrate in this season—is that there has been born for us a Savior, who is Christ the Lord! Our prayer is that you all have experienced this good news of great joy—that Jesus Christ is your Savior and Lord!
Again, your contributions of time, effort, resources, and funds will be used to continue the announcement that the shepherds heard so long ago in the field one special night!
Merry Christmas!!
