Youth Gathering at
The Bridge
509 Main Street
Mantorville
Wednesdays 6:30 - 8 pm
Come & Join in the fun!!
Faith Village Sunday School
Pastor’s History Lesson for the Week
Why Celebrate the Birth of Christ?
It’s that time of year again. For many of us it is a season of joy, filled with gifts, ham, and a bunch of time spent with family in a lead up to Christmas Day. For others of us, it is a season of great hardship, filled with tense family relations, remembrance of a lost loved one, and a schedule filled to the brim with stress. For the moment though, forget all that. What is at the heart of a Christian’s Christmas celebration, and why do we celebrate the birth of Christ? Are there actual meat and potatoes to it, or is it just an excuse for us to buy more stuff? As it turns out, there is a huge reason for us as Christians to celebrate this season. The reason we should celebrate Christ’s birth is because it leads directly to the cross, and our salvation.
In the book of Isaiah, an Old Testament book filled with prophecies about Jesus that was written circa 600 B.C., we read about some astonishing traits of the coming of Christ. We learn that He will be born to a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), that He will dwell amongst us as both fully God and fully man (Isaiah 9:6), and that He will be pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5.) Without getting into too much detail about prophecy, it is important for us to note that God’s plan was for His Son to come and dwell among us to be sacrificed for our sins… before being resurrected to establish His kingdom. (Note: There are many more prophecies about Jesus than just these few highlighted out of Isaiah!) Jesus Christ is the absolute crux of the Christian faith, and it is a critical aspect of God’s plan of salvation for us for Him to be here with us in human flesh. While the Lord could have descended down from heaven as a full grown man in majesty and royalty or something crazy like that, He instead chose to be born to a poor family in a manger. (Luke 2:7) The humility of our Lord, to be born as all of us are, should give you pause. It should also give you pause to know that the Lord cares enough about you to be born as a human for you, to die a criminal’s death for you, and to raise you up with Himself to glory if you call on Him as your Savior. The celebration of Christmas for a Christian does not stop at presents and family members, it is much greater than that. It is a celebration that our Savior has come to make it possible for us to go home to eternity with Him, to make it so that we are not bound by our sins and failings from spending eternity with our Lord. The birth of Christ leads directly to the cross, and to our salvation. Without the birth of Jesus there is no crucifixion, no resurrection, and consequently no hope for us to be redeemed to our Creator. Our salvation begins with Christ’s birth and ends with His resurrection.
No matter where you may be at this Christmas season, know that your Creator loves you. He cares enough for you to be born as a human in a manger and to die on the cross for you. He also promises to take you home with Him if you call on His name. While the Christmas season is not easy for everyone, it does have merit. So have a Merry Christmas, there is definitely a reason to celebrate. If you would like to learn more, feel free to contact me or your local church pastor. Know that we are praying for you.
Blessings,
Jacob Hanson
Pastor at Kasson/Pleasant Corners UMC
Pastorhanson@kmtel.com
Kasson UMC
KUMC is located just
three blocks west of the Kasson Pool
at 801 5th Ave NW, Kasson MN 55944
Pleasant Corners UMC
Pleasant Corners is located about half way
between Kasson and Dodge Center.
Physical Address: 21927 650th Street
Kasson, MN 55944
Mail to: 801 5th Ave NW
Kasson, MN 55944
Kasson and Pleasant Corners
United Methodist Churches
507-634-7823
Congregations of faith
Community Service
Our outreach programs help us bring the gospels to life every month.
Kasson Worship 9:00 am (Nursery Available)
Pleasant Corners Worship 11:00 am
Fifth Sundays Congregations worship together
Apply the Good News to your daily life.
Teen Programs
Our youth programs help teens learn to navigate those toughest of years.
Sundays
10:30 am
Join us!!
Sunday 17 9:00 am Worship at KUMC - Holy Baptism 10:00 am Adult Sunday School at Pleasant Corners 10:30 am Sunday School at KUMC 10:30 am UMW will meet in the Office 11:00 am Worship at Pleasant Corners
5:00 pm Worship Music Team Mon 18 NO SCHOOL at K-M Schools
Tues 19 LATE START at K-M Schools 7:00 pm New Member class at Bob & Lisa Kramer home
Wed 20 9:00 am M & M's meet at KUMC 6:30 pm Youth Group at The Bridge Sat 23 10:30 am Meet at KUMC to carpool to Empty Bowl Painting
Sunday 24 NEW MEMBER SUNDAY 9:00 am Worship at KUMC - Holy Baptism 10:00 am Adult Sunday School at Pleasant Corners 10:30 am Sunday School at KUMC 11:00 am Worship at Pleasant Corners
5:00 pm Worship Music Team
Our Mission Statement:
To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world
Pastor Jake Hanson