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(Matthew 4:16- The people which sat in darkness saw great light, and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up.)  

I want to seize this opportunity to celebrate your resilience and fighting spirit as a community. With all that life has thrown our way this year we as a people stood our ground, you refuse to give up you refuse to quit. We have seen so many ups and downs, yet we are still standing strong. Many of us don’t know how we made it to the month of December but we made it anyhow.

Many of us almost let go, many lost their jobs, some homes went into foreclosure but, yet you refuse to surrender.   Grande Cache to me is the town of the bold and courageous people.  You are fighters Grande Cacherians.  

As this year is drawing to an end we have also experienced grief as we lost some of our seniors in the community. With the pain of losing loved ones and relationship suffering under the weight of present economic and social realities, most of you have kept your chin and heads up. We have held on as a town against all odds.  

  Now the Christmas season is upon us once again and like a man once said

 “Christmas season is a conspiracy to make single people and elderly people feel alone and miserable” 

but I beg to disagree with this saying. Rather I say Christmas is a season of hope and restoration, Christmas comes to remind us that there is hope for our future as a people and as a community.  

(Jeremiah 31:16: - This is what the LORD says: "Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the LORD)  

(Jeremiah 31:17-: So, there is hope for your descendants," declares the LORD. "Your children will return to their own land)  

Christmas comes to remind us that delay is not denial. The promise of a Saviour to the world in the person of Jesus was delayed in coming but He came nonetheless. I dare to say to you great people of Grande Cache that Christmas is a reminder of a promised fulfilled.

The same God that promised, sending His son Jesus to earth and the right time fulfilled His promise, that same God has asked me to tell you that He will yet turn around the captivity of our great community. I am here to encourage all to keep hope alive. For those grieving this Christmas, the Lord God sees your heavy heart.

I want to encourage us to walk with our chin up and shoulders high because against popular opinions we are still here waxing strong. When you walk by Christmas lights, let it remind you of the word of hope from the Lord.   

(The people who sat in darkness, a great light of hope has come.) When you walk by a Christmas tree, let it remind you of “promise delayed is not promised denied”.  

When we think of Christmas from this year forward, let’s see Christmas as Christmas is the gift of a new beginning Christmas is about hope restored

Christmas is about the grace of God Christmas is about the mercy of God Christmas is about the forgiveness of God Christmas is about the light of God shining into our darkness Christmas is about the love of God in Christ Jesus

  My good people of Grande Cache, keep your hopes alive. Don't stop hoping for the best. Don’t stop believing, our best days, weeks, months and years, as a community haven’t seen yet.

The hidden treasures of greatness in Grande Cache will soon be unveiled for all to see.  

God bless all business and business owners in Grande Cache.

God bless all the struggling men and women of Grande Cache, working day and night to keep food on the table for their families. 

God bless our seniors. 

God bless all our strong and courageous service men. God bless all the single moms.

 

God bless everyone that calls this great town their home.   Merry Christmas to the people of Grande Cache!  

 

From Pastor John  And all your wonderful families and friends,  From CMA church.