On May 14, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Benin, Indonesia, Madagascar, Namibia, Vanuatu, and a few other countries celebrated a National Holiday, complete with the closing of schools, banks, and government offices. In Germany, the holiday is called “Christi Himmelfahrt”, which likely brings a smile to us English speakers!

“Christi Himmelfahrt” literally means “Christ’s Heavenly Journey” and is a celebration of the day JESUS Ascended back to heaven, 40 days after His resurrection. Like Christmas, in most places, it has been highly secularized, often losing any real connection to the earthly life and ministry of JESUS.

Learning this, raised a question for me. “Why don’t we celebrate it?” The Ascension of JESUS back to heaven brought many incredible, tangible blessings to our lives. In fact, after some intense study, I would say that it rivals Christmas Day in the number and power of the blessings it provides us!

I’m praying you’ll make plans now to join us for this message, as we celebrate all JESUS has done for us in HIS return to heaven!

Pastor Joe Still