Letter from Greg, December 20, 2025

Friends,

We live in increasingly dangerous times, with social, political, and religious tensions growing globally. Antisemitism is on the rise in the U.S., with 2024 holding the record for the most reported antisemitic incidents. The Anti-Defamation League shows an 893% increase in these incidents over the past decade.

At the same time, conservative evangelical churches—particularly in America—are ever more supportive of Israel. This includes adherence to Christian Zionism, the belief that modern State of Israel and Jewish sovereignty of the land fulfills biblical prophecies. This belief leads to apocalyptic hopes for the Second Coming and what these churches believe will be the thousand-year reign of Christ from Jerusalem, with the conversion of the Jews as a last act. All of this is despite the "Hamas War," or "Palestinian Genocide," however you may wish to frame it. 

And yet here we are... in Advent, anticipating the coming of our God. The Jesus of scripture was Jewish. He was born into a particular context, to a particular genetic line of royals. He was born in a particular time (we don't know the date of his birth). The Romans ruled the world, including the land that was part of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. He was a promised Deliverer, Redeemer, King.

Two thousand plus years later, we still have this hope. Jesus, born in Bethlehem, raised in Egypt and Nazareth, whose ministry was primarily for the Jews, is the same Jesus we anticipate will yet return. Though conflict rages, we as Christians await a reign that brings peace and all the other things Advent is about, Joy and Love too.

I pray that in the coming message, you might see hope.

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Greg