By Pastor Mike Mitchum

We need the message of hope that Christmas brings. In a time of financial uncertainty, political partisanship, and unrest in the world, hope can be hard to find. The same was true of the world that Jesus was born into and he provided salvation that changed the world.

One of my challenges each December is to help our Church family find practical ways to make the Christmas season meaningful. This year a book was recommended to me entitled, “The Purpose of Christmas.” It is a small book that talks about the purpose of Jesus birth. Rick Warren writes:

“If you stop to think about it, it is astounding that the simple, unassuming birth of a peasant boy born two thousand years ago in the Middle East has caused such commotion–his birthday even causes traffic jams today in places like New York City, Tokyo and Rio de Janeiro.”

Warren goes on to explain how Christmas is a time for celebration, salvation and reconciliation. He clearly explains the good news of the gospel and invites all his readers to accept it. I will be basing my sermons in December on the topics in this book. I would encourage all to get a copy and read it during the month of December. I think it will help us to focus on the true meaning of Christmas.

I look forward to sharing these messages of hope.

By Pastor Mike Mitchum

Next to the Coliseum in Rome stands Constantine’s arch. Robin and I were able to see it this summer in our travels. The following is an excerpt explaining its importance:

“The Arch of Constantine was erected to commemorate Constantine’s victory over Maxentius at the Battle of Milvian Bridge in 312 AD. This event is a highly important one for Christian history.

According to contemporary historians, the night before the battle Constantine had a vision. He saw the symbol of chi-rho (the first letters of “Christ” in Greek) – or the cross in some accounts – in the sky with the words, “By this sign, conquer.”

Facing an army larger than his own, Constantine was happy to try anything. He had his soldiers carry the Christian symbol into battle, and he was victorious. So Constantine adopted Christianity for himself and declared the religion officially tolerated throughout the Roman Empire.

With Constantine’s conversion, Christian persecution ended and the development of Christendom began. Thus, the event celebrated by the Arch of Constantine was a major turning point in the history of the western world”.

Back in the first century, the Apostle Paul had been imprisoned in Rome. He was chained to guards night and day. Paul was a preacher of the gospel, so these soldiers got an earful! As the following verse tells us, he had converted people even in Caesar’s household.

“Greet all the saints in Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send greetings. All the saints send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar’s household. ” (Philippians 4:21–22, NIV)

The gospel message would continue to be spoken by these people and their descendents until, finally, the message reach Caesar’s (Constantine’s) ears. I believe his conversion is a direct result of Paul’s imprisonment years before.

Perhaps someone you care about needs the Lord. Don’t stop telling of his love. Don’t stop praying for the Lord to change her heart. You might not be around to see it, but your words may bring a major turning point in someone’s life.