Invite Someone to Christmas Eve // M-Note 12.13.2025

I love Christmas at The Gathering. There are obvious reasons: I love the music, the lights, the hot chocolate bar, the hope we can find in Jesus even if life is hard. I don’t just love Christmas, but I need its message every year. The story stays the same, but I am different. And each year the story impacts me in a new way that I didn’t know I needed. But, here is what I love most about Christmas— I love that so many people are open to at least considering church.  
 
This week, I was picking up a few items from the pharmacy. I go there often and have gotten to know several of the workers. One of the pharmacists came up to me and said, “I just told my husband that I think it is time for us to consider church. And I think your church may be the place for us!” I was thrilled, gave her a Christmas Eve invite card (carry them on you!), and encouraged her to come and check it out.
 
More people that you realize are hungry for something this time of year. Friends are curious to check faith out. People need a message of hope. Neighbors want to worship somewhere on Christmas Eve. This is the time that people are open to the good news of Jesus, and The Gathering wants to be a church that invites and welcomes them. So, I hope that this week you will be intentional about offering an invitation to someone that you think might be looking for something new this Christmas.
 
You can find a digital version of the Christmas Eve invitation here and other ways to share on social media (Facebook) (Instagram). And this is the week to do it!
 
Christmas Eve may be nearly two weeks away but at our church, it starts this Thursday! If you are traveling for Christmas, join us for our first early Christmas Eve service on December 18th at 7PM at our McCausland Site. Friday and Saturday will be our Kid Christmas Services and if you have children in your life, you do not want to miss this. Last year, we had nearly 1000 people join us over two nights, and this year there is even more room to welcome people. We will have a kids-focused worship time followed by a lot of fun Christmas activities from cookie decorating to a live petting zoo. All the details for Kids Christmas, including a special hour for kids with disabilities, can be found here.
 
This weekend, I will be continuing our series on Peace by talking about how Jesus’ birth brings us inner peace, calming the anxieties and stress we often struggle with this time of year. Also, come support our West County site at its third preview worship service Sunday at 4pm at the AC Hotel in Chesterfield. So many good things are happening, so I hope you enjoy your weekend, and I can’t wait to see you at church!
 
Peace,
Matt
 
P.S. Once again, 100% of our Christmas Eve offering will be going to Mozambique to fund much needed health facilities for newborns, including a mother’s waiting house, a pre- and post-natal clinic, and a laundry facility. These new facilities will save the lives of new babies and mothers with high risk pregnancies. We hope to fund the entire project ($350,000) with this year’s offering. I think this is a gift that honors the birth of Jesus by serving others, so I hope you are excited to give this Christmas.