Covenant of Grace Christmas Letter for 2023

18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not *wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. 
20 But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.
21 “And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall *call His *name Jesus, for He will *save His people from their sins.”
22 So all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying:
23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”
24 Then Joseph, being aroused from sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him and took to him his wife,
25 and did not know her till she had brought forth her firstborn Son. And he called His name Jesus.

Matthew 1:18-25 NKJV


Dear Church and College family,

We should be incredibly grateful this season for the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. His arrival, conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to Mary, is a testament to God's love for us and His desire to save us from our sins. The fulfillment of prophecy, with the virgin giving birth to a Son named Immanuel, shows that God is with us.

Let us express our gratitude for this incredible gift, which not only gives us hope but also exemplifies God's unwavering love and His willingness to do whatever it takes to redeem and restore His relationship with humanity. For God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, sparing nothing to rescue us from the clutches of sin and offering hope in a fallen world. Through Jesus, we witness the transformative power of God's love for all of creation.

I am profoundly thankful for this ultimate gift and the grace that God has poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit. We are truly blessed and have been shown immeasurable love from the Creator of all things. God has withheld nothing in His pursuit of redeeming His beloved, allowing us to rise as the redeemed of the Lord and be restored into His heavenly favor through Jesus Christ, our loving God and Savior. This is a time to rejoice in the goodness of God and express our gratitude for all the blessings He has bestowed upon us.

As we enjoy this holiday season, let us remember to prioritize Jesus Christ in our lives. May His presence be the center of our Christmas celebrations.

May God bless you all. We love the CGMF and Focus Bible College Students and their families. You have honored and blessed us tremendously. Have a wonderful time with your loved ones this Christmas Day.



In Gratitude and Love,
Pastor Patrick Vossen
Covenant of Grace Ministry & Fellowship, Inc.
President, Focus Bible College