In a world where moral boundaries are increasingly blurred, we find ourselves at a critical juncture. The value of human life, once held sacred, is now being questioned and redefined in ways that challenge the very core of our beliefs and societal foundations. As we reflect on recent events and proposed legislation, it becomes clear that we must stand firm in our convictions and be a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.

The Psalmist beautifully captures the essence of human worth in Psalm 139:13-16:
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them."

These words remind us that each life is precious, crafted with care by the Creator Himself. Yet, in our modern society, we've seen a shift away from this reverence for life. The staggering statistics of abortions performed annually – with numbers rising even after legal restrictions – paint a heartbreaking picture of lives cut short before they've had a chance to begin.

But this issue goes beyond mere numbers. It speaks to a deeper spiritual battle that has raged since the fall of Satan. Unable to directly attack God, the enemy seeks to destroy what God loves most – His creation, made in His own image. By devaluing human life, particularly that of the unborn, we unknowingly align ourselves with this destructive force.

The parallels between ancient child sacrifices to false gods and modern-day abortion practices are chilling. While the methods may have changed, the underlying spiritual dynamics remain the same – the sacrifice of the innocent for perceived personal gain or comfort. We must recognize this for what it is: a perversion of God's design and a direct assault on His authority as the giver of life.

However, it's crucial that we approach this issue with both truth and grace. For those who have been personally affected by abortion, whether through direct involvement or loss of a potential grandchild, there is hope and healing available. The message of the gospel is one of forgiveness and restoration, even for what may seem unforgivable. As followers of Christ, we are called to extend His love and compassion to those who are hurting, while still standing firm against the practice itself.

The story of the medical school professor who posed an ethical dilemma to his students serves as a powerful reminder of the potential within each life. When presented with a hypothetical case of a family with various health issues and a mother considering abortion, the students unanimously recommended terminating the pregnancy. The professor's response – "Congratulations, you just took the life of Beethoven" – challenges us to consider the immeasurable value and potential of every human life, regardless of circumstances.

So how do we respond to this complex and emotionally charged issue? First and foremost, we must live lives worthy of respect, embodying the love and compassion of Christ in all our interactions. We need to be willing to come alongside those facing difficult decisions, offering support, resources, and hope rather than judgment.

Practically speaking, there are several ways we can make a difference:

1. Engage with local and state representatives, advocating for laws that protect the unborn and support mothers in crisis.
2. Support organizations that provide alternatives to abortion and assist mothers in need.
3. Work towards making adoption more accessible and affordable, removing barriers for those who wish to provide loving homes to children in need.
4. Pray fervently for a shift in cultural values and for hearts to be softened towards the sanctity of life.
5. Educate ourselves and others about the realities of abortion and its spiritual implications.

As we confront this issue, let us remember the words of Jesus at the Last Supper: "This is my body, which is given for you." Christ's sacrificial love stands in stark contrast to the self-centered mindset that often drives the abortion industry. We are called to imitate this selfless love, being willing to sacrifice our own comfort and convenience for the sake of others – especially the most vulnerable among us.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem, but we must not lose hope. Throughout history, God has used ordinary people to bring about extraordinary change. The same God who used twelve humble fishermen to change the world can use us today to stand for life and make a difference in our communities.

As we go forward, let us be a people known for our love, compassion, and unwavering commitment to the value of every human life. May we have the courage to speak truth in love, extend grace to those who are hurting, and work tirelessly to create a culture that cherishes and protects life at all stages.

In closing, let us reflect on the words of the hymn:
"Let all the world in every corner sing my God and King. His arms are high, his praise may thither fly. The earth is bent too low, his praises there may grow. Let all the world in every corner sing my God and King."

May our lives be a testament to the worth of every individual, singing praises to the God who lovingly crafted each one of us. As we face the challenges ahead, let us do so with faith, hope, and an unwavering commitment to protecting the sanctity of life.

Christmas morning as a child felt magical. You wake up with eager anticipation,
rushing to see the presents under the tree. Soon, wrapping paper flies in all
directions as laughter fills the room. For parents, all the stress and preparation melt
away in those precious moments of joy, watching their children’s excitement. As
we grow older, Christmas takes on new meaning—not just a magical day, but a day
to celebrate the profound love that binds us together.

The essence of Christmas is beautifully captured in John 3:16. Billy Graham, who
preached the gospel to millions, said this verse was at the heart of every message he
shared: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever
believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” This simple verse is a
reminder of a love so deep, it’s beyond our understanding.

Think of how we give gifts—carefully chosen, usually for those we love.
Sometimes, we give to those in need because we want everyone to experience the
joy of Christmas. But giving gifts to those who hate us? That’s unthinkable. Yet
that’s exactly what God did. His love was so vast that while we were still sinners
and enemies of God, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). God’s gift wasn’t reserved
for those who were deserving but extended to everyone, even those who rejected
Him. Through Jesus, God reached out to a world that was broken, distant, even
hostile toward Him. He didn’t wait for us to make the first move.

Romans 5:10 reminds us, “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to
God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be
saved by his life.” God's love didn’t just stop at forgiving our sins; it went further,
reconciling us to Him, making us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our
trespasses (Ephesians 2:4-5). Colossians 1:21-22 adds that though we were once
“alienated and hostile in mind,” God chose to draw us close, offering us a new life
through Jesus’ sacrifice.

So today, let’s remember that Christmas is not only about giving and receiving gifts
but celebrating the ultimate gift—God’s love in Christ. As we gather with family,
let’s cherish the love that surrounds us, a love that reflects the heart of God, who
gave everything to be with us. This Christmas, may we not only remember the gift
of Jesus but respond to it, allowing His love to shape our lives and overflow to
those around us.

For His Glory & Merry Christmas
Pastor Dillon Evans

Prayer: Abba Father, thank You for loving us even when we were far from You.
Thank You for sending your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus, to show us the
depth of Your love. As we celebrate today, help us to focus on Your gift, the gift
that brings eternal life. Fill our hearts with gratitude and let Your love shine
through us as we share it with others. Amen.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet:
“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”
(which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up,
he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife.
But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son.
And he gave him the name Jesus. –Matthew 1:22-25

On this holy night, we pause to reflect on the birth of Jesus—the long-awaited Messiah.
Throughout the Old Testament, God promised a Savior who would bring justice, hope, and
peace to a weary world. Isaiah prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful
Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The people of
Israel longed for this Redeemer, someone who would embody God's love and restore His
people. When Jesus came, He fulfilled that promise, becoming our Wonderful Counselor
and Prince of Peace. His presence in the world reveals God's boundless love and power, a
promise kept in the humblest of ways. As I consider the birth of Jesus, I am invited to look
into my own heart and life. Are there places where I am waiting for God's promises? Like
Simeon, who waited for years with hope and expectancy, I am called to trust that God is
faithful to His word.

The birth of Jesus was not announced as a grand spectacle but through an angel's quiet yet resounding declaration to shepherds in the fields. In Luke's Gospel, it says, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is
born this day... a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11). This message brought
joy that transcends time and circumstance. In Jesus, I find a joy that fills my heart,
reminding me that I have a reason to rejoice. His birth brings a message of hope and joy
that can uplift us all.

This Christmas, who in our lives needs to hear this good news? Just as the angels shared
the message, we are called to carry the light of Christ, spreading joy and hope to those
around us. When we encounter Jesus, our hearts are moved to proclaim, “We have found
the Messiah” (John 1:41). Who might we invite to know Jesus this Christmas? This season
offers a unique opportunity to share the love of the Messiah with those who long for hope
and peace. May we carry the light of Christ in our hearts, bringing the joy and hope of the Messiah into the world.

Merry Christmas Eve.
Nina Evans

This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be
married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through
the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want
to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and
said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what
is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give
him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” – Matthew 1:18-21

Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of
incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the
angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife
Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to
you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the
Lord. - Luke 1:11-15

Zechariah was a man that began to doubt God, for he had prayed for a son and his
prayer was not answered. He was getting quite old, but God wrought a miracle and
Zechariah was given a son.

Many people today too have doubts and some even ask, “Where is God?” When
they hear of the tragedies, low morals, and terrible crimes being committed most
every day, their doubts increase.

The songwriter says, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the
future,” and a poem I read encourages me, “Who trusts in God need fear no fate nor
look at life in blank despair/Keep hope alive, with patience wait and He’ll answer
every prayer.”

Minnie Rowe, (1993)

“Jesus said, I am the light of the world; ‘he who follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ ” - John 8:12

This first candle reminds us of the light of HOPE of the prophets.
The second candle reminds us of the light of PEACE in Christ Jesus.
The third candle is a symbol of the great light and JOY which surrounded the
shepherds at the announcement of Jesus’ birth.
The fourth candle reminds us of the tremendous LOVE that God has for each of us.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son,

that whosoever believeth in him should have everlasting life.” - John 3:16

It was eleven days before Christmas, a cold, rainy night and I was in a church
packed full of people, yet I felt like I was the only one there. The atmosphere was
magical, the church was lit by candlelight and organ music was softly playing.
Women were in formal dresses and men in tuxedos. There I was, walking down the
aisle, to meet the love of my life. This was my wedding day.

Out of love, we made vows, "To have and to hold, for better, for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part.”
Those vows were a promise, a covenant we made to one another. Some days we see
those promises lived out, other days, they remind us of what they will be. Out of
love, we have lived out our covenant every day for 45 years.

Out of love, God made a covenant to David, “Your Seed I will establish forever,
and I will build up your throne for all generations.” God kept his covenant to
David with the birth of Jesus, with Jesus’ death and resurrection and Him now
sitting on the Throne for all generations.

Out of love, God has made a covenant to you. “I will be your Savior. . ., I will be
faithful to you. . ., I will walk with you through every circumstance in your life. . ., I
will make a home for you. . ., I will return for you, and you will live with me
forever.” (paraphrased).

Out of love, He came as a baby; out of love, He will come as our King!

Merry Christmas—Sheri Asbury-Titone

God. John 1:1. What greater Joy could we ask for as created beings by the Author
of the Word. As these two verses in John indicate; the Word has always been, and
we see here that it is Jesus our savior. John states that the Word was in the
beginning, and it became flesh (Jesus). Jesus came to save a world and us from our
own selves. Jesus didn’t just come on the scene out of the blue so to speak in
Jerusalem and start preaching. John tells us that Jesus (the Word) has always been.
So, Jesus was part of the whole creation right down to how many hairs I have on
my head.

The Joy we can feel certain of is that Jesus is going to do what He said when He
left the earth. He is going to come back and take us to a heavenly home and there
isn’t going to be any way to keep this from happening as long as we … confess
with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

This Christmas season, confess and believe so that you can have the Joy of a risen
Savior in your heart. Jesus will do what He said from the beginning (Genesis) and
take us home when the right time comes.

My Joy is that you become part of God’s/Jesus’ family. Find out how before it is
too late.

God Bless to each of you and Merry Christmas,
Stewart Wood

Do you still watch the news? Not too long ago almost everyone could be found
reading the daily newspaper or watching the morning news on TV while getting
ready for work, as well as eating supper by the glow of the evening news. And if
that wasn't enough you could stay up for the 11 o’clock version.

Today it's all-day-everyday at your fingertips. From the bizarre, to the shocking, to
the terrifying. There appears to be no peace anywhere. Only wars and rumors of
wars, disaster, and crime. There's not much in the way of that rural newsletter
GRIT that some of us remember with it's heartwarming tales of neighbors and
family. It can seem that way anyway.

Honestly, you can find anything you WANT to hear, good or bad, with the help of
your friendly neighborhood algorithm. There's not much we can trust and believe
without a good bit of research. Maybe not even then. But…
Praise be to Almighty God that we CAN trust His truth in His Holy Word.
We don't want to be hiding from the world and it's bad news.

The world has always been hostile to God's will and plan. THAT is not news.
Instead, we are called to bring to the world, near and far, The Good News. That is
that Christ Has Come. And He brings peace with God Almighty for those who
believe in the saving power of His Holy sacrifice.
God’s truth IS that He has brought peace to us eternally through our Savior’s
precious blood.

Amen!

Margaret Sarratori

Our passage today tells us the “world did not recognize Him.” How could this be?
He created the world and everything in it. He created each child born into this
world from the time of Adam and Eve. God gave us His Word, the Bible, so we
would recognize Jesus and know that He loves us enough to save us from our sin.
God sent His only Son, Jesus, to be the Light in the world. Many did not receive
Him, but for those who believe in Jesus, He gave them the right to become children
of God!

We are anticipating the gift of life in our yet to be named grandson. It’s hard to
describe just how much we love him already. Our prayer for you this Christmas
season is that you experience the love, joy and anticipation of the arrival of our
Savior and Lord.

Jesus is the Messiah! Be among those who recognize Him.
God is offering you the right to become a child of God!
This is the greatest joy you will ever know!

Recognize the Light,
Keith and Leslie Belvin

Prayer: May our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus, the Savior of the World, be
our focus this Christmas! May the gifts we give each other, particularly to those in
need, represent the love that Jesus has for each of us. Father, we know in addition
to your Son, Jesus our Savior, you also sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to be with us,
to guide and comfort us. May it be that all Christians, glorify you with their lives
as obedient children. Amen.

Such a little word to carry a huge feeling. A couple of weeks ago my oldest
granddaughter called me. And I have to admit that my heart started to react with a
feeling of panic because like most people her age, she will text me everyday. But to
receive a telephone call from her usually means something bad. However, this time
she was calling with good news and we got to laugh together and my heart smiled
all day. As much as I enjoyed that call, it was happiness, not true joy.

When we have good news we automatically want to share it with someone. Just
like the shepherds did. First the shepherds ran to see the baby. They didn't gather all
the sheep and walk to see Jesus. They left everything and ran. Then they spread the
word, Jesus, your Messiah, is born. Have you discovered a Lord so wonderful that
you can't help sharing your joy with others? Joy is only found in our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ.

Max Lucado is my favorite author. Here are some short excerpts from his book
entitled Because Of Bethlehem:

I wish everyone a joyful and Merry Christmas.
Martha West

Advent Prayer:
“Come, Lord Jesus, be my joy."

From the beginning, the heavenly host of angels were witness to all of God’s
greatness. They worshipped Him, adored Him and praised Him. They saw both His
good pleasure toward mankind, and also how he hurt when man disobeyed Him.
They knew His desire that people everywhere be brought into a relationship with
Him. They anticipated the arrival of the Messiah who would bring peace and
salvation to all.

Many times, throughout the Bible, an angel – one angel- appeared to someone to
deliver a message from God. That person’s life was changed and their relationship
with God was strengthened.

One angel appeared to tell the shepherds the Good News of Christ’s birth. But this
news was so great, the multitudes of angels in heaven could not hold back their joy.
This was the moment they had been waiting for – God’s plan for salvation. They
had to share in this good news, too!

Can we even imagine what this moment must have been like to witness? To see and
hear thousands and thousands of angels praising and glorifying God, and singing of
Jesus, the Messiah, the Savior. Their song tells us how salvation glorifies God,
gives peace to mankind, and is a token of God’s good will to the human race. What
an amazing message!

As Christians, we know this joy! We know the peace that only comes from
knowing Jesus as our Savior. Through good times and bad, God is always with us.
Let us always remember to give God the glory and the honor in our words and
actions.

Donna Phillips

The first people to be told of the Christ Child’s birth were shepherds. Shepherds,
considered to be dirty, smelly and most likely uneducated men. Men, who
definitely were not included in “polite society”. To these men the angels appeared
and invited them, the shepherds to go and see the baby, the Messiah. The angels
did not go to the elite of society, the king, the priests, the rich and educated. They
went to humble men to announce the birth of our Lord, the Messiah.

How it makes my heart swell to know that our Heavenly Father invites the lowly,
the humble, the sinners, those of us who are not perfect to come to Him and give
our hearts to Him. The shepherds knelt before Him in awe and adoration and knew
in their hearts that Mary’s baby was the Messiah, the Savior of mankind.

Oh, if only people of today could have the same awe and adoration of our Lord as
those “lowly” shepherds. How blessed those lowly shepherds were to be the first to
behold our Lord, our Savior the Messiah.

Emma Crawford

Thankfully now days we do not have to travel to register your family. Most is done
on your phone or computer. Although I did not travel a long way while pregnant
with my first child, I did with my second. Just being in a car is bad enough, I could
not imagine riding on a donkey. My trip to the hospital from our house was not
long, but the pain was not fun. My son wanted to come slow and take his time.
Once he was in my arms the pain was forgotten, and I had a bundle of joy. I’m
thankful we had a safe roof over our heads.

God created a safe place for Mary to have Jesus, and He kept them from danger. I
see the roof over my head the same way. God has provided a safe place for my
family and I. I am thankful to have the hospital to have both of my children in.
Our scripture today reveals the wonderful story of a long journey leading to Jesus’s
birth. We are on a journey for God to spread his words to all, and to see his will be
done. I thank God for my family and the gift of Jesus!

Jayme Sanford

“Jesus said, I am the light of the world; ‘he who follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’ ” - John 8:12
This first candle reminds us of the light of HOPE of the prophets.
The second candle reminds us of the light of PEACE in Christ Jesus.
The third candle is a symbol of the great light and JOY which surrounded the
shepherds at the announcement of Jesus’ birth.

Elizabeth, who had been long barren, was miraculously carrying a child. This
story, for the first readers of Luke, could be seen as one of hope for Israel. They too
had suffered a long time of barrenness, but continued to have hope that God would
restore them.

Like Elizabeth and the Israelites’, we can identify with barrenness in our own lives.
There are times when we feel like God isn’t there or even hearing us. Thankfully,
God has provided us with God inspired scripture full of accounts where God was
working in the mist of their circumstances even when they could not see it.
God’s timing is always perfect; it has been proven time and time again. When
Mary arrived at Elizabeth’s home, God revealed himself through the movement of
the Holy Spirit. Not only was this telling for Elizabeth, but Mary received
confirmation that what the angel had told her was true and that God was in the mist
of her circumstances.

Through the times of barrenness and suffering that Elizabeth and Mary endured,
God breathed hope for us. God knew us and was paving a way for us long before
we were born. When we are feeling hopeless, we can thank God for the eternal
provision he made for us so many years ago through the birth of his son Jesus
Christ. With this hope we are reminded that the Lord is sovereign, in control and
active in the lives of believers.

Merry Christmas,
Paige Bond (2013)

I married my love Yvonne, on December 29th, 1971. We had a few days together
before I had to report back to duty at Keesler AFB. She joined me a few weeks
later. One day Yvonne told me she was pregnant. I was thrilled and scared, after all
I was just an airman. Unfortunately, we lost the child, it was a boy. As time went
by we again were given the hope that we were going to have a child and again we
lost the baby. Over the years we lost two more.

In May of ’73, I spent a year at a remote site in Alaska. I was then assigned to Point
Arena AFS in California. We traveled across country and settled into our new
residence. After a time she again was pregnant. We quickly went to a doctor and
told him about all we had been through. Again, we lost the child. We were
devastated.

Shortly thereafter, Yvonne was having ‘problems’ and we went back to our doctor.
He told us that she was pregnant and that the first miscarriage was a boy and he
might have been a twin. Again, we were given instructions on what to do to protect
the fetus. She was put on bed rest and told to do nothing strenuous. We went back
and forth to the doctor for the next seven months with her staying in the hospital on
several occasions.

One night the stress caught up to me and while driving home late at night I prayed
that this would end. God listened to my prayer but ended it in His own way. Like
Zechariah I doubted but, God had different plans. We had a beautiful baby girl and
two years later another.

God blesses believers.
Barry Milligan

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she
entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting,
the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice
she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women and blessed is the child you will bear!
Luke 1:39-42
Anna: The Prophetess whose life was hope
And there was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of
the tribe of Asher she was of great age, and had lived with an
husband seven years from her virginity; And she was a widow of
about fourscore and four years, which departed not from the temple,
but served God with fastings and prayers night and day.
Luke 2:36-38

Anna was the daughter of Phanuel. Apparently, her father’s name had been taken
from the Phanuel, the place where Jacob wrestled with God face to face.
Anna’s name means gracious. She seems to have been a person of enormous
devotion, one who lived as though face to face with God, ever receiving His grace
and sharing His grace with others. She never lost hope over many years. She never
grew bitter in the face of sorrow. She never ceased to worship, and she shared the
message of hope with all believers.

There had not been a prophet in Israel for some three hundred years, yet God raised
up a prophet. Women leaders were very rare in that day. She was apparently a very
special person, one who loved God and hoped in God with all her being. She was
constantly studying the word of God that she might be approved of God in order to
proclaim the riches of His grace. The point is this, Anna’s hope was in GOD;
therefore, God blessed her greatly. God will always bless the person who hopes in
Him.

A wonderful gift we as Christians can give this Christmas, is the Good News
message of eternal HOPE and salvation because of Jesus Christ.

IHS                                                   
Gene and Mary Jo Cumbia (2009)

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1: 34-35

Mary’s statement that she hadn’t been with a man gives an opportunity for
something spectacular to happen.

Back in Jeremiah 22:30, the prophet placed a curse on any genetic descendant of
King Jehoiachin, the second to the last of Judah’s king—- that such a one could
never prosper while seated on David’s throne.

So, if a supposed messiah attempted to use a genetic connection to the last of
Judah’s kings to leverage his way to the throned David, he would fall under
Jeremiah’s curse, immediately nullifying his claim. Hmmm.. that’s a problem.

Yet in the OT, Messianic promises were made to people like Abraham and David.
So, what gives??

But what if one who is a virgin married a genetic son of David?? And what if this
son of David adopts the little one as his own son??

This would give the little one a legal claim to the throne of David through the
power of adoption. Jesus could rightfully lay claim to be the Messiah seated on
David’s throne— while completely bypassing the curse of Jeremiah, because He
isn’t a son of King Jehoiachin. God does things that are far beyond spectacular.

Only one thing would need to happen for everything to fall into place perfectly.
Joseph, Mary’s beloved, would have to be persuaded to take Mary as his wife and
adopt the Little One as his own. But this would be a tough sell....

Tom McElfresh (2020)

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High.
The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever;
His kingdom will never end.
Luke 1: 32-33

In this world that we live in, the swirling winds of change blow all around us.
The concept of permanence is a distant thought, maybe even a dream for some.
A familiar phrase is attributed to Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher. He
said “the only thing that is permanent is change.” We are constantly adapting to
one kind of change or another, whether it be the latest technology, a new job,
changes in one’s medical condition, relocation - you name it. Even for those of
us who have been enlightened and drawn to salvation by the gift of God in
Christ, so much of our lives are aligned with temporary things. That’s just the
way it is.

Thankfully, our Father in heaven gives us an amazing contrast between what
we experience in everyday life with that which is to come for those who trust in
His Son. Jesus is the Solid Rock, and He changes not! “And he shall reign over
the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”

With great anticipation, let’s consider the permanence of God’s Kingdom and
His faithfulness as we run the race He has set before us during the current
confines of time, space, and yes—change.
“I will praise Your Name forever, Lord” (Psalm 145). 

Celebrating the everlasting God,
David Crummett

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth,
a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph,
a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her,
“Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.”
Luke 1:26-31

The words spoken by Gabriel to Mary had been foretold in the Old Testament. Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. (Genesis 6:8) I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line…he will be called The Lord our Righteous Savior. (Jeremiah 33: 15) The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14) He will reign on David’s throne from that time and forever. (Isaiah 9:7) The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed. (Daniel 2:44) Your throne will be established forever. (Psalms 89:36 and 2Samuel 7:16)

Now in the New Testament, when Gabriel announces that Mary had found favor, it was a wonderful gift of grace from God. Such a gift is the entrance of faith into our hearts. His blessing makes Mary happy, as we too become blessed when we believe. Being Blessed refers to our ultimate well-being and spiritual joy. Paul spoke of “grace’, then “peace” from being blessed (in Romans and Ephesians).

Mary’s initial agitation was a normal reaction to an angelic announcement, but her mind went on immediately to finding the meaning of his address. Gabriel calmed her fears over the presence of God, allowing her to see him as a Father by using familiar terms of prophesy with which she was familiar. We should model her wisdom and in fear and reverence carefully seek meaning throughout God’s word. We should also note that the angel not only spoke privately to Mary but brought glad tidings which would shortly be published to the whole world. The shadowed Messiah of the Law was manifested in the advent season the world still celebrates.

Gordon Smith

But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous— to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” - Luke 1:13-17

Have you ever prayed for something over and over again? You feel like God isn’t going to answer, and he never will. Do you stop asking or do you pray without ceasing? 1Thessalonians 5:16-17

Zechariah and Elizabeth remained faithful to God. By doing so they received the greatest blessings. Not only were they going to have a child that they longed for, but a son that was already filled with the Holy Spirit. A son that was appointed for special service to God.

God has given each one of us, gifts and talents that he wants us to use to bring others to Christ. Pray and ask God, what he has appointed you to do. He may take you out of your comfort zone, but don’t miss the opportunity to grow. Ephesians 5:15-16

John’s role was similar to the prophet Elijah. John was to prepare the people of Israel to repent and to turn to the Lord.

 Do you have a family member, or friend that you’ve been praying for to turn to God? I think we all do. Plant the seed and continue to pray even if their not receptive. God hears all our prayers. Be encouraged, have faith, and trust in our merciful Savior.

May you reflect the light of Jesus this Christmas Season,
Theresa Svoboda

“Jesus said, I am the light of the world; ‘he who follows me will not walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life’ ” - John 8:12

This first candle reminds us of the light of HOPE of the prophets.

The second candle reminds us of the light of PEACE in Christ Jesus.

“We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”- Romans 5:1
 
“He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.” - Romans 4:25.

“He is our peace.” - Ephesians 2:14

The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,
as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: “I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
Mark 1:1-3

The theme of preparing the way aligns with the advent season which is a time of waiting and preparing for the coming of Christ.

Jesus is coming, prepare your hearts and mind. Be ready to face the day and any challenges you might encounter.

As we prepare for Christmas season with decorations, gifts, food, and family, remember these are preparations for Christmas but these are not advent preparations.

John the Baptist leads us to see the most important preparation to celebrate Jesus for advent, or to prepare for His second advent, is that we prepare our hearts for the second coming of Jesus.

Open your heart and mind to learn and live Gods Word.

Nancy Dyson

“I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me.
Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple;
the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty.
Malachi 3:1

When my husband and I were first married in the early 80s, there were no cell phones, nor email, nor social media platforms. When he was deployed with the U.S. Army, we relied on letter writing to keep in touch. It was before his first deployment in our marriage when we were told that he would be gone through my birthday, Thanksgiving and Christmas. These upcoming special occasions looked bleak and lonely without my husband and best friend by my side. Unexpected joy came when a messenger from my husband’s unit sought me out to deliver the news that my husband would be rotated earlier than planned and was expected home the day before Thanksgiving. I later learned that the messenger was a Soldier with no close family who had volunteered for the rotation. His selfless action was a true testament to Jesus’ commandment to love your neighbor as yourself.

In today’s verse, the prophet Malachi speaks the word of God to Israel saying that the messenger John the Baptist will come and prepare the people for the coming of the Messiah. While you and I are not “the” messenger preparing the way when the Lord comes, we are still His messengers to the world. Our ultimate job is the same as John the Baptist, to point people to Christ.

Christ’s blessings to you this advent season,
Jeannie Barrera

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.” - Micah 5:2

Christmas is a time we look forward to each year. From spending time with our loved ones, to beautiful decorations and twinkling lights, to the delicious foods we eat, to the children eagerly awaiting the opening of presents, to all the joyful sights and sounds of the season. Most of all, we look forward to celebrating the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, the greatest gift of all.

Micah brought the promise of that most wonderful gift to the people of Israel 700 years before the birth of Christ. Can you imagine their anticipation as they eagerly awaited the birth of the Messiah? He would be the hope and the salvation of the entire world. He would be the fulfillment of God’s promise to bring forth a king, a descendent of King David, born in Bethlehem, to save us from our sins.

As we await Christmas this year, let us focus on the true meaning of the season. Let’s be hopeful and grateful that we have already received the most wonderful gift of all. No matter what we might go through in this life, we have the assurance of being with Jesus in paradise.

Merry Christmas!
Stan and Denise Gandee