Greetings Peoria area homeschoolers! I hope this Christmas season finds your family well as you prepare for your Christmas celebrations. This time of year brings its own challenges and difficulties every year, but this year has already been challenging for so many. As much as we may long for this year to be over and to start a fresh new year, this is not the real hope that we have. Two thousand years ago an angel announced to a few shepherds “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people!” and told them where to find their Savior. Then a whole multitude of angels appeared in the sky and sang “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” (Luke 2)

Today we can still experience the joy of the good news that Christ has come. He has redeemed us and called us His own. Have you taken the time to ponder the wonder of this great news? Where might I be if He had not called me out of darkness and into His marvelous light? (I Peter 2:9) I find myself asking the same question as David: "Who am I that you are mindful of me?" (Psalm 8:2) And yet He has seen some value in me that I cannot seem to fathom. He has celebrated me like a lost coin that has been found (Luke 15) and sings over me with joy and gladness. (Zephaniah 3:17) How can my soul not rejoice in a God who delights in me so much that He sings over me?! This realization gives us good reason to sing with the angels “Glory to God in the Highest!” This Christmas season is another chance to celebrate the coming of Christ, who humbled Himself to be Emmanuel: God with us. This is where we find the peace that the angels sang about. Peace that transcends all the difficulties of the days and the pain of broken families and empty chairs. He who rejoices over us because He is pleased with us… He who loves us and wants to be with us… He is our peace because He is also our hope.

Do you celebrate advent with your children? Are you teaching them how to anticipate Christ’s coming? Are you teaching them where to find real peace? Are you teaching them about true hope that will never disappoint? The world will tell you and your children that Christmas is about so many things; like family, feasts, or presents… While these things are good things, they pale in comparison to the real reason for our celebration, our hope, our loving and gracious Savior who has come to be with us. I want to encourage you to make this Christmas a great one. Show your children that even amidst hard times, we have the greatest reason of all to celebrate.

We on the APACHE board want to wish your family the Merriest Christmas and a Happy New Year. We pray that you find both joy and peace this holiday season as you continue to trust in the Lord and remember that He is with you.

Glory to God in the Highest!

James Cox
APACHE Board President