Letter from Jon, December 2021 

 Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.
                                                                                        Luke 2:10,11
 
Dear Liberty Family
 
These words, of course, are from the Christmas story as told by Luke.  On the night Jesus was born the angels appeared to a bunch of shepherds and announced his arrival with ‘good news of great joy’.  God has not forgotten his people but has come, in person, incarnate (in the flesh), to fulfil God’s plans to rescue and redeem not only his people, but the whole of creation.  It is right, as we move towards Christmas, that we celebrate this good news with joyful singing and celebration.
 
This good news, of course, was not just for the shepherds.  We are told that when they had seen the baby Jesus ‘they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them’ (Luke 2:17,18).  The shepherds could not keep this news to themselves.  It was too big, too amazing.  It was for all the people, not just those who were alive when Jesus was born, but for every age.  For you and I and for those we love.
 
On Sunday past we introduced a new initiative starting today called ‘Three for Three’ (or 343 if you want to be really cliched!!), where we are encouraging every one of us to choose three people that we know who we would love to know this good news and to put their faith in Jesus as their Saviour.  These could be friends, neighbours, hairdressers, people we meet regularly in the course of life etc.  Over the next three months, ie December, January and February, we simply want to be praying regularly for these three people; praying that God would bless them, praying specifically for their needs and situations, and praying that they would be aware of God.  We are not asking you to share the gospel with them or to invite them to any events (though don’t let us stop you if you want to).  Our emphasis is on simply regularly bringing them before God. 
 
Our desire is that many around us would hear this good news, would realise it is for them and would turn to God, but as I quoted on Sunday ‘if we want to talk to people about God then start by talking to God about people’.  We believe that as we pray regularly for specific people that God will move in their lives, and also in our lives.
 
And so, at the beginning of December my prayer is that you would hear this good news afresh, knowing that our God cuts through the darkness and brings light and hope through Jesus Christ.  Let us pray together for his kingdom to come in our lives and in the lives of those we know and love, that many more would be amazed at this good news.
 
Much love, joy, peace and hope to you all
 
Jon