Christmas 2025
On a cold night centuries ago, a husband and wife made their way to the only shelter available. They bedded down with cows and sheep as the mother labored and gave birth to a baby boy and laid him in the manger. They were far from family, home, and anything that felt normal. What does God expect of us? How do we protect this Child? They gazed at Jesus and thanked God for what they knew and what they didn’t yet know. And in the father’s dream that night, God said, “You are not alone.”
Christmas is a season of joy for many—and of anxiety and deep sadness for many others. The loneliness epidemic that grips our world becomes more evident at a time when we’re socially expected to get together with family and friends. But what if we don’t have anyone? Or what if our circumstances don’t allow us to be near our loved ones?
Congregations across the state are helping to meet the needs of their communities. Together we are supporting the mom who is trying to find food for her children. We are helping a dad who wants to give gifts for Christmas. We are caring for people with all sorts of hurt. It happens in small towns and big cities. Together we proclaim, “You are not alone. The Kingdom of God is at hand.”
Earthly struggles are real to people that live and work beside us. Jesus came into a broken world to know and redeem our struggles. In the midst of our challenges, God’s Word reminds us that we are loved and cared for as His children. And He also moves us to recognize others who need this life-giving Word.
The Michigan District supports church workers and congregations as they provide Great Commission and Great Compassion care in their communities and the world. Your gift today helps equip church workers and congregations to share Christ’s life-changing care and compassion. Will you help us deliver this gift to those who need to know that they are not alone?
Your generosity could mean that a lay person receives formal training to serve in their local congregation, or that a church worker is able to complete specialized training to help people in mental health distress. It could empower congregations to work together under guidance from District experts. It could enable congregations to receive funding to begin new ministries that reach out with the Good News of Jesus Christ in their communities.
Gifts to the Michigan District are not meant to replace or reduce your gifts to your congregation or other ministries. Instead, these gifts support our current congregations and church workers through district-wide training opportunities, congregation/circuit collaboration, strategic congregation partnerships with the community, and resources for future ministry and innovation as we carry out this work together as People of Hope.
May God’s blessings of peace, health, and joy be yours in Christ,
…eyes on Jesus …
Rev. David A. Davis, President
Michigan District, LCMS
Download Printable Christmas Letter with Remittance Form
