Christmas Joy with Family

As we arrive at Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, I find myself thinking about how deeply music and family are woven into this holy season. There is something about Christmas music that slows us down. Familiar melodies invite us to breathe, to remember, and to gather close. Whether it is a carol hummed softly at home, sung boldly in worship, or played in the background as meals are prepared and gifts are wrapped, music has a way of holding our stories together. It carries memories of Christmases past and makes space for new ones to be formed.

This season has also reminded me how much family matters, not only the family we are born into, but the family we discover along the way. My family and I have found something truly special here at Northbrook UMC. From the very beginning, we have been welcomed with open hearts, kindness, and grace. You have made space for us to belong, to serve, and to be ourselves, and for that we are deeply grateful.

Christmas Eve, in particular, feels like a sacred meeting place, where candlelight, song, and the story of Christ’s birth draw us together as one family. In those moments, surrounded by familiar faces and new friends, it becomes clear that church is not just a place we attend, but a people we love.

As you move through this week, through gatherings large and small, through music and laughter, through quiet moments and full ones, my hope is that you feel the warmth of God’s love and the comfort of knowing you belong. May the songs you hear remind you that you are not alone, and may the presence of Christ fill your homes with peace and joy.

Thank you for being the kind of church that feels like family. We are so thankful to share this season, this music, and this life together with you.
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With gratitude and Christmas joy,
Chance Passmore