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One week from today is Christmas Day. The celebration of God, in the flesh, ("God con carne") breaking into the world to bring the kingdom of God into this world and to invite us into new life.

Two weeks from today, it is New Years Day - our annual marker of renewal, the quest to restart and to see change come.

As we have worked through our #re-creation series it is my prayer that you might be refilled with a life-changing hope, be inspired to both receive and work towards community changing peace, be reminded to embrace real moments of joy, and be reminded that the God of this universe truly and deeply loves you.

As we move towards through this season of celebrating the new work of God in the world and our new year, I pray that you will put some practices in place to help you enjoy the new life that Jesus offers. It would be a good time to start (or restart) a Bible reading plan. (Check out www.biblegateway.com or the YouVersion Bible app for suggestions.) Perhaps you would like to commit to a small group for the spring. Some might be ready to move through the Emotionally Healthy Spirituality course - for the first time or again. You could start volunteering - in a Covenant ministry or with a local service agency such as The GuestHouse.

Whatever it is for you, I truly pray that you will have the courage to move more deeply into the life God longs to re-create in you. If you want to grow and change, but you aren't sure where to start, either Jon or Mary would love to sit down with you over coffee and begin a conversation about it.

You will not receive another Covenant Weekly over the next two weeks. In the meantime, though, I'm praying for you. And I can think of no better prayer than the one offered by Aaron prayed over the Israelites as recorded in Number 6:

The Lord bless you and protect you.
The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.
The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.

Wishing you a very joyous Christmas and a blessed New Year,

Jon