Merry Christmas at the Whites

Christmas eve at the White's house. There are our very good friends Doug & Wendy White from Texas. We first met them on the missionfield in Guatemala in 1996. They are Wycliffe missionaries. So it's been a fantastic MK (missionary kid) reunion for Jeremy and Rachel with Jeffrey and Lyndsie.

More later....

Anual Flyers go out...

Here are Jim and David, ready to hit the streets around Northside. A team of about 12 helped to distribute hundreds of Christmas flyers up and down the streets of the east end of Barrie, Ontario. Northside is planning a Christmas program for Sunday, December 18 and the flyers are given each year to invite everyone to attend. We look forward to a great time of fellowship and fun as we celebrate this wonderful event...

For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord.
(Luk 2:11)

Stranded on a Desert Island (written and directed by Marlise)

The JVs were part of the Northside Awana Christmas program and did a great job with their skit! There were upwards of 150 in attendance. The young people shined as well with their music abilities and just being terrific and friendly. Thanks JVs for a great show and keep up the good work, leaders!

Oh, yeah. The shot (by Rob) of the kids on the bench are really passengers on a plane that is about to crash on a desert island. Each tries to devise his/her plan to get off the island but all die in the process. Various futile attempts are made: some are burned, others eaten by sharks etc. Afterward, it was discovered that there was a Coast Guard ready and able to help, but no one took notice or availed themselves of his help. Thus the lesson... so many have their own plan of how to get to heaven and ignore Jesus - who is the only Way, the Truth and the Life (John 14:6)

Candy Cane

The Message of Christmas in the Candy Cane

Tonight I am going to share the story of the Candy Cane at the Awana parents night. The next time you see a Candy Cane think on these things...

The development of the candy cane took a few hundred years. About 1900 the white candy cane received its traditional red stripes and peppermint flavoring. According to legend, a candy maker in Indiana designed the candy cane to tell the true story of Christmas.

1. It is shaped like Shepherd’s Crook, The Good Shepherd
The candy cane reminds us of the shepherd's staff. The first people to hear of Christ's birth were shepherds guarding their flocks at night (Lk 2:8-20). Jesus called Himself the Good Shepherd and the Bible frequently compares the actions of the Messiah to those of a shepherd searching for his lost sheep, feeding them, gently leading them, and carrying them in his bosom (Ps 23; Jn 10:1-18; Is 40:11; Jer 31:10; Micah 5:4; Heb 13:20).

2. It is a “J” for the name JESUS
Mary’s firstborn child was given the name Jesus, meaning Savior, because He was destined to "save His people from their sins" (Mt 1:21). His name is often used in vain. His name is the only name under heaven (Acts 4:12)
His name is above every other name (Phil 2:9-11)

3. It has a White stripe
Reminding us of His purity and sinlessness (1 Peter 2:22)

4. It has a Red stripe
Reminding us of the blood that He shed to save us from our sins (1 John 1:7)
The traditional candy cane has 3 small red stripes to remind us of the soldiers' stripes by which we are healed and a larger stripe which represents the blood shed by Christ on Calvary's tree (Is 53:5; Mt 27:32-50).

5. It has a Green Stripe
Reminding us of His resurrection and the new life he gives (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

6. It is made with Hard candy
The hardness of the candy reminds us that Jesus is The Rock of our salvation. “The LORD is my rock…” (Psalm 18:2).

7. It is made with Peppermint
The peppermint flavor of modern candy canes is said to be similar to hyssop. In Old Testament times, hyssop was associated with purification and sacrifice. During the first Passover celebrations, a bundle of hyssop was used to smear the blood of Passover lambs upon the doorposts of houses so that the Angel of Death would pass over their occupants (Ex 12:22). Peppermint reminds us that Jesus is our Passover Lamb (1 Cor 5:7). His blood cleanses us from sin and destroys the power of death (Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 15:54-57; Heb 2:14-15; Rev 20:6).

8. Candy cane to be broken
When we break the candy cane it reminds us that His body was broken for us (1 Corinthinas 11:24).

9. Candy canes are sweet
The sweetness of the candy reminds us that Christ is sweet to our taste, not bitter like the world (1 Peter 2:3)

10. Candy canes are to be shared
When we have Christ as our Savior and receive His gift of salvation we want to “pass it on” to others so that they might know the joy and peace He gives. (Matthew 28:16-20; Romans 10:8-15).