Greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

It gives me great joy to send warm Christmas and New Year greetings to every member of the Olivet University family at home and abroad, and to all of Olivet's friends around the world.

At Olivet, it is our tradition to celebrate the holy season of Christmas by meditating on the Greek word kenosis -- the self-emptying of one’s own will and becoming entirely receptive to God’s will. Jesus lowered and emptied everything of His life for our sakes, beginning with his humble birth when the Word became flesh and God became one of us (John 1:14).

Each day, and especially at Christmas, we seek to be reminded and give thanks for Jesus' beautiful life of kenosis here at Olivet. As we remember God’s generous gift of our Lord Jesus Christ, we also give thanks to God for all of His abundant blessings to Olivet in the past year. And gratitude flows out from our hearts to everyone whose hearts God has moved to encourage Olivet though prayers, hard work and generous support in 2013.

Olivet exists and is thriving today by the grace of God revealed through Jesus' life of kenosis, and resembled in the faithful lives of people across the University. Students, graduates, faculty, staff, administrative and board leaders and friends – may you know you are held closely in our hearts and prayers this Christmas. And with hearts full of gratitude, may the spirit of kenosis we celebrate at Christmas overflow in each of our lives and works at Olivet University each day in the New Year, and always.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Tracy Davis 
President of Olivet University