When you think of “sinners” who might be excluded from God’s kingdom, does anyone come to mind? If so, you may be entering dangerous territory. The Pharisees were certain of their own seat at God’s table, convinced that the tax collectors and prostitutes had no such place. But Jesus came precisely for the people the religious crowd wrote off. He welcomes the broken, the fallen, the forgotten with open arms the moment they repent and turn to Him. God’s grace reaches farther than our judgments, and we may be surprised by those who are on heaven’s guest list!

The Gifts of Christmas
There is no other time of year that we think about gifts more than during the Christmas season. Giving and receiving gifts can certainly bring joy, but gifts can also be the source of stress. What should you buy? Will they like it? In the rush of it all, let’s remember that Christmas is not about the gifts we give and get, but about the gifts that Jesus gave to us by coming into the world. This year, let’s pause, reflect and be thankful for those blessed gifts from above!


