In a final lesson in the God With Us series, Mark invites us to look ahead to the new year. What will we bring with us? What is serving God's purposes well in our life? What are we better off to leave behind? In all things, God's presence is a constant.

This video is a 4× time-lapse of artist Anna Lasher creating an original painting during a Christmas worship service on December 21, 2025. Painted live as Scripture was read, songs were sung, and reflections were shared, the artwork serves as a visual meditation on the Incarnation of Jesus Christ—God with us. Using Tree of Life imagery, the painting traces Christ’s life from his hidden beginning in the womb, through his growth in humanity, to his self-giving love on the cross, and the promise of life restored. The video includes the full painting process from start to finish, a brief conversation with Anna about the significance of the imagery, and close-up views of the completed work.

This Christmas service centered on the mystery of the Incarnation—God with us—tracing the life of Jesus from his hidden beginning to his self-giving love on the cross and the promise of life restored. Through Scripture, song, and reflection, we explored how the light of Christ enters the world quietly, grows faithfully, and continues to bring life and healing. During worship, artist Anna Lasher created a live painting that visually embodied these themes, using the Tree of Life as an integrative image to hold together Christ’s birth, growth, and sacrifice. Her work served as a prayerful companion to the proclamation of the gospel, inviting the congregation to see, contemplate, and adore the One in whom is life and light.