I love the Christmas season. I love cold snow, hot drinks, the smell of pine needles, and apple cider. I love curling up in a blanket by the fireplace and reading. I love finding presents I think people will enjoy and wrapping them (while trying to make sure the paper lines up just right). I can sit for hours and work on a puzzle while listening to Bing Crosby's White Christmas album. Every year I look forward to all these things, but even for me, I felt like this year my family was starting a little early.
My main goal coming to Carmel was to bridge the gap between my faith and my everyday life. Ever since I felt the love of Christ for the first time, I’ve had a deep desire to pursue that feeling again through connection with God. That pursuit has led me here. Seeking Christ has led me to mostly a jumble of questions so far. When I ask questions regarding my faith, all I get in return are bigger and deeper questions. I have loved it. The sense of wonder I get when I think and question the faith I was born into and the one I have now really makes me fall in love with the mystery of God. This year has been eye-opening – it has made me take a step back and question why I believe, what I believe, and how I believe. Even with all these doubts, convictions, this confusion, and reevaluating, God has been with me and continues to spur me on. I have really seen God’s goodness through my wonderful community – always challenging me and encouraging me. So many wildly different individuals who would have never naturally been together but, through Carmel, beautiful life-giving relationships have formed.
God has been using the staff and students at Mount Carmel to both challenge and reinforce my faith in many different ways. Before Carmel I struggled with identifying what I believed in and why. I had been going through life a bit aimlessly and, all the while telling people around me that I was a Christian even though I didn't understand what it meant to be one. Being part of the close-knit community at Carmel has provided me with many opportunities to gain a new understanding of my faith. Each course challenges me to think and work on aspects of my life that I never would have on my own. I applied to Carmel in order to know how to be a Christian without losing the life that I was comfortable with. Not only have I learned what it is to be a follower of Christ, but I have also been pushed out of my comfort zone so thoroughly that I do not think that I could go back to the way I used to live. Mount Carmel has turned what I simply used to call a “Religion” into a way of life.
One way that God has been at work in my life is by blessing me with such a wonderful community at Carmel. I’ve prayed for a long time to be part of a Christian community where I feel I belong, and the community at Carmel has been a huge answer to my prayers. From both the staff and the students I’ve experienced Christ’s love and acceptance, and I’ve felt Jesus at work both in my life and in our community as a whole. In my own life I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of Jesus and Biblical truths, especially about Jesus’ grace and love for us, which never ends. I’ve also learned a lot about what it means for me to live out my life as a Christian, intentionally seeking God every day. God has also really blessed me with wonderful staff members who have encouraged me and helped me work through some struggles that I’ve been experiencing in my faith journey. I’ve seen Jesus’ hand at work in our community also, through the way that all us students care for each other. It is only by Jesus’ love that we are able to love each other so well.
I love the Christmas season. I love cold snow, hot drinks, the smell of pine needles, and apple cider. I love curling up in a blanket by the fireplace and reading. I love finding presents I think people will enjoy and wrapping them (while trying to make sure the paper lines up just right). I can sit for hours and work on a puzzle while listening to Bing Crosby's White Christmas album. Every year I look forward to all these things, but even for me, I felt like this year my family was starting a little early.
November 12th. That is the day my family started listening to Christmas music in the car. Now that is far too early. I complained a little, but they were really enjoying it so I didn't push too hard. Then a couple songs later, one came on that really hits me in the feels every year. I knew I couldn't hold out for long, and by mid-song I was done and fully in on Christmas.
I feel compelled to tell all who will listen, that peace on earth is not so out of reach That we can find grace, mercy and forgiveness, he has come to save, he is all of these Love is raining down on the world tonight, there's a presence here I can tell
God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel
He's the saviour we have been praying for, in our humble hearts he will dwell God is in us, God is for us, God is with us, Emmanuel - God Is With Us Casting Crowns
Maybe November is too early for Christmas music, or putting up lights or drinking eggnog. It's not too early, however, to consider the fact that Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us, came to earth. That He humbled himself, came as a baby, died for our sins, and he rose again, and through that act made it possible for God to be close. It's never too early for that. I sincerely hope that, however you feel about the Christmas season you get the opportunity this year to really reflect and celebrate the amazing truth of Christ's entrance into our world and our lives.
Ken Marshman
Like many ministries and churches we have seen a decrease in donations since the beginning of COVID but not to the point where we can't operate. We are grateful for God's provision and for your continued support.
Dec 16 - Jan 10: Christmas Break
Jan 18: Info Session @ 7:00pm
This is an opportunity for potential students and their parents to come to the school and learn about Mount Carmel. Spend an hour meeting our staff and enjoying a coffee while you learn about our program and why a gap year here might be right for you. For more information click here.
