Reach

Luke 2:16-20

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

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Before you read again on the birth of Jesus, it might be best for you to lay it aside and start from scratch.

The Christmas story has been so sanitized and romanticized over the centuries that even Hollywood—as jaded a culture as can be found anywhere—fails to capture the gritty pathos that surrounded Jesus’ arrival. Truth be told, even some churches annually idealize the birth of our Saviour. Yet it was anything but ideal.

A dispute between members of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria and the Global Methodist Church (GMC) escalated to violence Sunday, resulting in three fatalities.

Nigerian news outlet The Guardian reported that the clash began after one group “unsealed” a church building, leading the other group to do the same. Local Methodist churches had previously been shut down by the state government to calm ongoing tensions.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was taking part in a cabinet committee meeting on Canada-U.S. relations today, amid increasing calls for his resignation. 

A mid-day adjustment to Trudeau's itinerary was issued by the Prime Minister's Office and noted he was taking part in the meeting virtually, though a specific time wasn't listed.

Neither Trudeau, nor Finance Minister Dominic LeBlanc issued a public comment after the meeting. 

TOWN OF SEXSMITH!

They enjoyed hot coffee and treats from McDonald's! 

Enter your business and you and your co-workers could win coffee and a variety of muffins, lil donuts, cookies, egg McMuffins and breakfast burritos from McDonald's!

We'll draw a winner every week and will personally deliver McDonald's coffee and treats to the winning business.

Enter Here

This Christmas, if you're looking for a local service to go to, there's LOTS! Here's a list of services:

SEXSMITH

Grace Bible Fellowship @ 7pm - DEC. 24
780-568-4360 or gbfchurch.org

GRANDE PRAIRIE

Grande Prairie Alliance Church @ 11am, 2pm, 4pm - DEC. 24
Experience the songs of Christmas. Immerse yourself in a mosaic of live musical performances and heartwarming caroling.
(780) 532-8836 or visit gpalliance.ca for details

Great news for fans of I Can Only Imagine. Lionsgate and Kingdom Story Company announced on Friday that a sequel to the breakout hit movie will be released in the new year.

I Can Only Imagine, based on Mercy Me's song of the same name, was released in 2018 and brought in over $83 million in domestic box office. 

The sequel will continue the inspirational true story of Bart Millard, once again played by John Michael Finley.

Dallas Jenkins took to social media over the weekend to announce some exciting family news. 

On Sunday, Jenkins, creator and executive producer of The Chosen and director of The Best Christmas Pagent Ever shared that his oldest daughter was engaged. 

"My oldest daughter Maya is engaged! My goodness," said Dallas in a post on Facebook.

Right before his 70th birthday Hollywood actor Denzel Washington took the step of faith and got baptized. 

On Saturday, Dec. 21, Washington was baptized at Kelly Temple Church of God in Christ in New York City. The service was livestreamed on Facebook.

Not only did the service include Washington's baptism but he also received a minister license. This allows him to become ordained one day if he chooses. 

Three newly recruited family physicians are now practising at the local healthcare centre and in community, improving access to care for local and area residents.

The new physicians are Dr. Abdullah Elashkel, Dr. Salem Elmgadmi and Dr. Ali Abolkasim, all of whom received their medical training in Libya and began practising at the Fairview Health Complex and the Fairview Medical Clinic over the past month. They will also be supporting the local emergency department, inpatient and outpatient services, and long-term care.