(Here is “The 2014 Prince Christmas letter” that we are sending across the country to our “snail mail” friends. I thought you might enjoy it too!)

We did a lot of Welcoming in 2014 (some events we welcomed with open arms and some… not so much). Our Welcome list included the following:

Welcome back. We survived the worst winter in Michigan history. Our arrival to “the Mitten” and “worst winter ever” is merely coincidental… we hope.

Welcome home. Rob’s mom went to be with Jesus in February. We miss her!

Welcome to the real world. Alex graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University with a degree in business. Well done, Alex!

Welcome to the Family. Blaire and Alex were married in May in Leavenworth, Kansas. We couldn’t have picked a better daughter-in-law even if we tried!

Welcome to the Good Life. Ben’s year included Olivet Nazarene University’s ultimate Frisbee team, a summer barista job at Starbucks while also working at a golf course. For Ben, free coffee and free golf equals “the perfect summer.”

Welcome Mat Ready. We moved into our new home in Grand Blanc in March. There are spare rooms waiting for occupants! Come and visit!

Welcome Doctor. Three strokes and a fall down a staircase for Karla’s mom and a few brief hospital stays for Karla’s dad whose Alzheimer’s is progressing has made us very much aware of the Flint medical community.

Welcome to the Pines of Burton. In November, Karla’s parents, after living with us for six months, moved into this memory care facility nearby.

Welcome Buyers. The selling of Karla’s folk’s rental homes, farm and most of their stuff has made Karla an expert of the roads between Flint and Hillsdale and an advocate of not getting old. It’s a lot of work!

Welcome to the Publishing World. Rob’s book, Chronic Pain: Finding Hope in the Midst of Suffering, was released in April. His publisher announced a financial crisis in the fall. Hopefully these two facts were a fluky and wild happenstance.

Welcome to Central Church! New vision, mission and staff at Flint Central have made for a full and crazy church year! Our prayer: “In Flint as it is in heaven!”

We will be excited to welcome in a new year in 2015!

We trust that you and your family are doing great and
we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

You’re Welcome!

Rob and Karla Prince
Grand Blanc, Michigan

1. Do Pentecostal snowmen ever pray for a fiery revival? #ifyoucantstandtheheatgetoutofthesanctuary

2. Would Buddy the Elf have told King Herod “you sit on a throne of lies”? #fakesanta #cottonheadedninnymoggins #crazyking

3. If a careless worshipper spills candle wax on a pew cushion during the Christmas Eve Service will the perpetrator be placed on Santa’s “Naughty List”? #janitorsarenthappyeither

4. Couldn’t a contestant on the Wheel of Fortune buy a vowel for Myrrh? #PatIdliketobuyavowel

5. If one has nine Christmas trees in their house (and I do), can that house be declared a National Forest by the Department of Natural Resources? #toomanytrees

6. Would “wee little man” Zaccheaus have been upset if someone mistook him for an elf? #notfromthenorthpole

7. Would a perfect Christmas gift for Moses have been an iPad since he broke his tablets? #Mosesbutterfingers

8. Can a five point Calvinist “re-gift” unwanted Christmas presents or do they live by the motto: “Once your gift… always your gift”? #oncesavedalwayssaved

9. Isn’t a “Hanging of the Greens” service a little too violent? I don’t think the Halls like the idea of getting decked, either. #noexecutions #nofighting

10. Would P.F. Bresee (founder of the CoTN) have allowed Dancer and Prancer to become members of the Church of the Nazarene? #nodancing

On a much more serious note, in your theological musing this Christmas season I hope you reflect on the glorious words of John 1, when the apostle wrote:

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14) #bestnewsever #nojoke