Rev. Dr. Gina C. Jacobs-Strain, General Secretary of ABCUSA
Dear Beloved American Baptists,
As we celebrate the joy and hope of this Advent Season, I want to thank each of you for the wonderful ways you support the mission of American Baptist Churches USA. In this season, we remember the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who came to bring peace to a world that desperately needed it as the angelic host proclaimed to the shepherds, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!” (Luke 2:14, NRSV). This message of peace is not just for the past but is a gift to us today, and it calls us to be bearers of that peace in our world.
Amid our joys and challenges, Christmas reminds us that Christ is the hope for a future filled with restoration and healing. The light of Christ shines in our hearts and communities, dispelling darkness and guiding us into a future where the kingdom of God is more fully realized. We are called to embody this hope in all that we do, and as followers, we are given a clear mission: to go and make disciples of all nations, sharing the Good News of God’s love and salvation with the world. This is the Great Commission, given to us by Christ Himself: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19, NRSV).
As we reflect on the birth of our Savior, let us also embrace the diversity that has been wonderfully woven into God’s creation; each of us is made in the image of God. The Body of Christ is a beloved community, a community that consists of people from every nation, tribe, and tongue. In the Gospel, we see that Jesus came for all of humanity. We are called in John 13:34-35 to love one another as God has loved us, building a community where all are welcome and valued, where diversity is celebrated, and where we strive to live in harmony. This Christmas, let us love and serve one another, knowing that our differences are gifts and opportunities to reflect the fullness of God’s creativity and grace.
I pray that this Christmas fills your heart with the peace of Christ and that the year ahead brings renewed hope. May we continue to walk in God’s light as one beloved community, fulfilling the Great Commission with faith, love, and a heart for all nations.
Merry Christmas!
Rev. Dr. Gina Jacobs-Strain
General Secretary
American Baptist Churches USA