I would like to continue the tradition – now 7 years old – of taking a deep dive into a Christmas song during the weeks before Christmas (here’s last year’s song). Many churches will be starting their Advent celebrations this Sunday, so this weekend seems like a good time to start!
Except – well, the song I have for this year – let’s just say, ironies abound.
Because this song isn’t exactly a Christmas song, although you often hear it at Christmas. The title is certainly very Christmassy. But…
The author did write words/music for Christmas hymns – but those are largely forgotten.
But he is famous for a Christmas song – a song that has hit the charts, in fact – but it’s about – well, I won’t give everything away.
His most famous song, not about Chrismtas at all, is a love song, a specific kind of love song.
But as I say, this year I think it’s worth looking at his second-most-famous-Christmas-song-that’s-not-a-Christmas-song, over the next few weeks. Don’t worry, all will become clear.
Today I’m remembering so many people who are no longer here in Mexico. This picture is from a team meeting that we had in Puebla ten years ago today. One has gone on to be with the Lord. Three of our younger members went on to other things in other countries. Some were short or mid-term missionaries, who returned home. Some simply went on to other ministries.
So – we miss them! But we’re happy that some are still here as well, although we don’t see them as much as we would like.
Here we were in 2014, standing in front of the Estrella de Puebla (Star of Puebla), a ferris wheel with a Guinness Record (2013) for “the world’s largest portable observation wheel”. (Portable?? Apparently, yes – it can be taken apart and put into a 40×20 foot container. Who knew? But it’s huge-gantic, 80 metres high.)
Anyway, we rode on it, and took a picture in front of it. Just click on the picture below for a larger version.
It has been a particularly busy teaching time lately, for a couple of reasons.
First, our preachers have been taking turns helping out with the preaching at the church in Jesús María.
A plant growing where our church currently meets. Ain’t it cute?
But second, since we finished our church doctrine series in Sunday school, we’ve been picking our own themes, at least until the end of the year. Plus we’ve gone back to doing special themes on the first Sunday of the month.
Having a “blank canvas” when it comes to preaching is a huge amount of work! Sometimes you can pull up something you’ve done before, but I don’t actually have a huge number of one-off lessons to teach.
I did pull out one lesson that actually was the first lesson I ever taught in front of a church – that would be at Grace Church in Newmarket – “Principles of the Changed Life”.
This past Sunday the sermon was “Christmas Traditions in the Light of the Bible”. I asked people what Christmas traditions they wanted to talk about, and away we went! Not an easy topic, for sure. But not a dull study. At least, for me!
But that’s not the only blank canvas we have right now. We’re still looking for a house to rent, but also we’re looking for a temporary/permanent place for the church to meet. The place we’re at is increasingly unsuitable and we need to find a place. So I was out taking pictures of a possible place today, and we visited another place last week.
A blank canvas can be exciting, and a whole lot of work! But we’re also getting ready to celebrate our 8th anniversary as a church. And that’s a reminder – that what started as a blank slate can end up as an amazing work of a faithful God! So we’re thankful that we need a place to meet – and a big one at that!
10 years ago today, we went to visit our friend and fellow missionary Chalo in the city of Puebla, and went for a drive in his 1922 Model T Ford. You can read more about that right here. Meanwhile, here are a couple of pictures:
We returned from a quick trip to Canada four weeks ago, and we hit the ground running. The first day back in town we were already off to view a possible house to rent. And … spoiler … no news on that yet. We were scheduled to view a house yesterday, and had planned to go early to be the first ones there – but even that was not in time. It was rented before we left to see it. So – we stayed home and I packed another box of stuff. 🙂
But enough about all that! Life goes on with all the regular and irregular activities. We’re getting ready for the church’s 8th anniversary service, if you can believe that. That special event will be coming up in November. And in the meantime, we’re looking for another place to meet for the church – both temporary and permanent. As you might guess, so far availability of places seems to be low, and prices high. But hopefully we will at least find a temporary place to meet, while we look for / make a decision on a more permanent place to renovate / build.
There are lots of other things going on. After finishing up our series on the doctrine/values of the church, we’re doing some special themes in Sunday school, which has been interesting. I’ve done a couple so far, and I’m planning for another one or two. We’re also doing some special themes on the first Sunday of each month, so I’m preparing to share on the traditions of Christmas in the light of Scripture. As you might guess, it’s a whole different world here in Mexico – at least, in some ways. I’ve asked people at the church to give me some ideas of what topics they would like covered, so that should be interesting!
We recently finished preaching through the book of Zechariah, and we’re moving through 1 Corinthians now. Both challenging books, for sure! But the powerful Word of God is working!
We enjoyed a visit from Tim and Brianna last week, a couple from the USA who are planning to come and serve the Lord here in Mexico. It was great to hear their perspective and also to get together with some of our Mexican friends here to hear their perspective on ministry in Mexico. There’s a lot of work to do here! But praise the Lord that He is raising up workers.
We also had a chance to see another couple from our mission, Roger and Judy, who were down for a visit.
The institute classes are continuing, and I’m looking forward to teaching one of those. And we continue to have opportunities as a church to share the gospel at a local hospital, along with hot coffee and sandwiches. 🙂
There’s a quick update on some of the things that have been going on! I will try to communicate again soon. Since I’ve been so lazy in taking pictures and video, I will at least share this picture of Tajín ice creams. You might be able to buy Tajín where you live – it’s a salty spicy Mexican seasoning. Which, apparently, also comes in ice cream.
Ten years ago today, we were having a kids’ club in the community of Las Palmas. This special outreach was in partnership with some friends from the church in the community of Santa Barbara, the “first” Path of Life Bible Church in Ixtapaluca.
That’s pretty cool, but there’s something else cool about this picture. Two of the little kids that you see here learning about the Lord Jesus are now in our youth group. They were helping me last month to teach songs to the kids at our vacation Bible school at the Path of Life. They are now reaching other kids with the gospel!
And you’ll also spot Nathanael in this shot, who is now serving the Lord in Canada. Hannah was old enough to help with the kids, but she’s not in this picture.
