Walk in the Light | King of Kings

Introduction

“Walk in the Light” is a deeply meaningful theme rooted in the teachings of Jesus, calling every believer to live in the radiance of God’s truth, love, and holiness. Jesus often used the symbol of light to show the difference between a life guided by God and a life lost in spiritual darkness.

When He declared, “I am the light of the world,” He offered an invitation to follow His example, embrace His wisdom, and let His presence illuminate every step of our journey. To walk in the light means more than simply acknowledging Jesus’ words; it requires a sincere commitment to live with integrity, kindness, humility, and unwavering faith.

It challenges us to reject sin, falsehood, and fear, choosing instead a life shaped by compassion, forgiveness, and moral clarity. In a world filled with confusion and shifting values, Jesus’ light provides direction, comfort, and hope, enabling us to see ourselves, others, and God’s purpose more clearly.

As we walk in the light, we become reflections of Christ’s character, shining His love into communities, families, and situations that desperately need grace. This path empowers us to grow spiritually, deepen our relationship with God, and influence others through our example. Ultimately, “Walk in the Light” reminds believers that Jesus does not simply show the way—He is the way, and following Him leads to a life strengthened by truth, guided by peace, and anchored in everlasting hope.

It encourages believers to choose Jesus daily and reflect His light in all circumstances faithfully.

Be Careful

Don't let your hearts be loaded down with the cares of this life to the point that you forget about God. We've considered, and will again, the end of the world and our end, but one question we might ask ourselves is which would you prefer? Would you rather be still alive at the end of the world, or die first?

It's an interesting question! I think I would prefer to meet death on its own terms and wait for the end of the world from above not from here. I guess that as much as I believe that the world to come is the better part, I'm not ready to say that my grandchildren and great-grandchildren shouldn't experience what this life has to offer.

I'm sure that my family isn't going to like losing me, but I don't want to watch any more of them die before me! But, that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be careful and work to follow God's path of love just in case. The image of a snare is interesting to me.

It makes me think of a trap. I had to check out a couple of other translations to see if the same image is used in them. The Contemporary English Version and the New American Bible both say "trap" so I guess I was on the right track.

Personally, I don't feel like being caught in a trap, so that's an added incentive for me to live each day as if it could be my last, no matter which way it goes. What about you?

Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar

Nebuchadnezzar was king of Babylon and requested that some of the children of Judah be brought into the palace to be taught the "learning and the language of the Chaldeans." Daniel and his companions were among those brought to the king. Instead of eating the rich foods and drink the wine that the king provided for them, Daniel requested vegetables and water so that they would not be "defiled." After three years, they were brought before the king and it is at this point that the story of Daniel really begins.

You know his companions better by the names given them by the prince of the eunuchs who were in charge of them: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Daniel has been going against the wishes of the king by not eating the rich foods and wine, but felt that he and his companions were following the will of God. The king was pleased with Daniel and his friends, but this would not be the last time that they would need to choose between the wishes of the king and the law of God.

Not breaking the dietary restrictions seems like a small thing, but I'm sure that refusing the delicacies and the wine wasn't always easy for the young men. However, resisting temptation in small things builds up a resistance to make it easier to resist temptations for bigger things. Think about diet as a good example. You have been told to avoid fats. You're out to breakfast and your friend offers you a piece of bacon. You can say "yes" or "no." The more often you say "no" the easier it is to say "no" to other forms of fat. The same goes for salt or sugar or whatever tempts you.

The same is true of other major or minor forms temptations that are placed in front of us daily. It's just one pen, and I need it. It's just one piece of candy. It's just one dollar, they'll never miss it. As you can see, temptation is all around us and usually starts small. The person who embezzles millions didn't start there. We can all start practicing today.

Love God; Love Others - Part 1

This phrase is both a statement and a question. Is Christ my king, or your king, and what does it mean to say yes?

Today's gospel is a very familiar one. How often we hear the story of the "good thief" and take comfort in it. But what about the other criminal? Both criminals seem to think that Jesus just might be the Christ, the Messiah, but they have very different attitudes about that.

The first is thinking only of himself and tells Jesus to save himself and them while the second is aware of his sinfulness and only asks Jesus to remember him when he comes into his kingdom.

Each time I have reflected on this one of the last words of Jesus on the cross it makes me think. Is just acknowledging Jesus as Messiah enough, or do we need to put that knowledge into action?

I once heard it said that the one who knows Jesus best is Satan. So I would guess that just knowing isn't enough! If we truly accept Jesus as King, then our actions must follow. We bow to the will of God and not our own.

We follow in the footsteps of Jesus; we call upon the Holy Spirit for guidance and we beg forgiveness when we fail. Perhaps a renewed commitment to having our lives bear witness to our faith is in order. And then we, too, might hear at the hour of our death,

"Today, you will be with me in Paradise."

Love God; Love Others - Part 2

Our love of God is a response to God's love for us.

Just as we love our earthly parents as a response to their love for us, we love our heavenly Father.

Hopefully, we love our siblings as well, even though we might have disagreements at time.

In this passage, we are challenged to love our brothers and sisters in Christ in spite of the ways in which we might differ.

God loves all of his children and expects the same of us. Little children get this; we adults have a problem with it.

In the play "South Pacific" there's a song that talks about hating others and says that hatred needs to be taught.

It's not something that comes naturally. Children are curious about people who don't look or talk the same way that they do.

In Haiti and again in Africa, children wanted to touch my skin and my hair because it was so different from what they say every day.

But they weren't afraid of me and they didn't hate me. They were open, friendly and, as they came to know me better, affectionate.

They had never been taught to hate others. The wider the circle of life becomes, the more we interact with people of different races, creeds and ethnic backgrounds. Do we act with the curiosity of children or fear?

John tells us in this letter that if we fear, then we don't yet have perfect love because love cancels out fear. Maybe the key is to get to know others better, and then love them even if we find we don't like everything we find out.

And we just might be surprised! After all, we don't like everything about our family members and our friends. We may love them even if we don't like them.

When we look at the faces of others, we are looking at the face of God. Let's remember Jesus' command, "Love one another."

Time to reflect

Belshazzar was the son of Nebuchadnezzar and had become king when his father died. He had no respect for God and had used the sacred vessels from the temple in Jerusalem as ordinary vessels to eat and drink from. As they sat drinking the wine and praising their gods, the fingers of a man's hand came out and wrote those words on the wall.

I can't imagine the fear it must have inspired in the king and those who were with him. I'm sure the interpretation didn't settle too well with him either. He was killed that night. Most of us will not get a message as chilling as this, but many of us will get a message that we have a limited time ahead of us. A diagnosis of cancer, of COPD, of heart failure, or an aneurism, are all life limiting.

The question then is, what do we do with it? Belshazzar had no time to reflect on his misdeeds, but we do. We are given a lot of warnings during this time of the year. Next Sunday will be the first Sunday of Advent which begins the new liturgical year and we once again think about the coming of Jesus both as an infant and when he comes again.

Of course, we know we should be reflecting on how well we keep both the commandments and Jesus' law of love all the time. But! When I taught young children, I reminded them that the police and firefighters came to their schools every year to make sure they knew how to stay safe. God reminds us with his Word because he wants us to remain safe so that we will be with him at the end of our lives.

Daniel and the Lions' Den

Men who were jealous of Daniel looked for ways to discredit him before the king so that they could get rid of him. They accused Daniel of praying to God, which was against a law that they had the king pass against praying to anyone except the king.

So, Daniel was thrown into the lions' den with the king telling Daniel that he hoped his God would deliver him. He did, and thus the decree mentioned above. What does it take for us to separate truth from lies? We are commanded to not bear false witness.

In the Old Testament, the punishment for bearing false witness was to be punished in the same way as the accused would have been. Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, and so his accusers were thrown into the lions' den along with their wives and children. They were not rescued. Every day we hear of someone who has lied to get ahead or to escape punishment.

Sometimes people lie because they have gotten into a habit of dishonesty and can even convince themselves that their lies are truth. Unless a person is on the witness stand, or has taken an oath to tell the truth, there really isn't punishment except that the liar can't be trusted and can't trust the word of others. The worst lies are those that contain half-truths.

The men in Daniel's story created the law that Daniel was accused of breaking. People today use innuendo or they may be creative with the facts in order to tear people's reputation apart. This can happen in the neighborhood, in politics, and even in the churches. Even when the lie goes unnoticed, God is well aware of our actions as well as our inactions. May we work to always be honest.

God With Us

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me. Thou knowest my downsitting and mine uprising, thou understandest my thought afar off. Thou compassest my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he shall direct thy paths. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: and bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: but as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, Art not the least among the princes of Juda: For out of thee shall come a Governor, That shall rule my people Israel. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand. I and my Father are one.

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

Journey to Christmas

There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judasa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the

course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. And they had no child, because that Elisabeth was barren, and they both were now well stricken in years.

But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; With favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John.

Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book? And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! Who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, That thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be.

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: For thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

The LORD is King for ever and ever: The heathen are perished out of his land. LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: Thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: To judge the fatherless and the oppressed, That the man of the earth may no more oppress.

Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And, behold, thy cousin Elisabeth, she hath also conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her, who was called barren. For with God nothing shall be impossible. And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Consider and hear me, O LORD my God: Lighten mine eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death; Lest mine enemy say, I have prevailed against him; And those that trouble me rejoice when I am moved. But I have trusted in thy mercy; My heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.

And Mary arose in those days, and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Juda; and entered into the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. And it came to pass, that, when Elisabeth heard the salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb; and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost: and she spake out with a loud voice, and said, Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. And whence is this to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord.

When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, The moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; What is man, that thou art mindful of him? And the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, And hast crowned him with glory and honour. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; Thou hast put all things under his feet: All sheep and oxen, Yea, and the beasts of the field; The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, And whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. O LORD our Lord, How excellent is thy name in all the earth!

For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. And blessed is she that believed: for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord. And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; And holy is his name.

Preserve me, O God: For in thee do I put my trust. O my soul, thou hast said unto the LORD, Thou art my Lord: My goodness extendeth not to thee; But to the saints that are in the earth, And to the excellent, in whom is all my delight.

And his mercy is on them that fear him From generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, And exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; And the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, In remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, To Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance and of my cup: Thou maintainest my lot. The lines are fallen unto me in pleasant places; Yea, I have a goodly heritage.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

For thou wilt light my candle: The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness. For by thee I have run through a troop; And by my God have I leaped over a wall.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

As for God, his way is perfect: The word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in him. For who is God save the LORD? Or who is a rock save our God?

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, According to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, And the glory of thy people Israel.

The earth is the LORD's, and the fulness thereof; The world, and they that dwell therein. For he hath founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who shall stand in his holy place? He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; Who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is the generation of them that seek him, That seek thy face, O Jacob. Selah. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; And be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; And the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah. looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Wonder of Christmas

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.

I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men.

What Is Ash Wednesday? Why Christians Celebrate It

Each year, Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent and is always 46 days before Easter Sunday. Lent is a 40-day season (not counting Sundays) marked by repentance, fasting, reflection, and ultimately celebration. The 40-day period represents Christ’s time of temptation in the wilderness, where he fasted and where Satan tempted him. Lent asks believers to set aside a time each year for similar fasting, marking an intentional season of focus on Christ’s life, ministry, sacrifice, and resurrection.

Who Celebrates Ash Wednesday?

Have you ever noticed how once a year, usually in February or March, there are a lot of people walking around with an ash cross on their foreheads? You probably knew it had something to do with Lent, but you weren’t sure why the ash cross was significant.

Or maybe, you grew up in a Catholic or Protestant church that held Ash Wednesday services each year, and so you’re already familiar with the service, but aren’t too sure about the history of Ash Wednesday and Lent, and what they have to do with the Christian faith. If you want to learn more about this important day in the liturgical calendar and why so many celebrate Ash Wednesday and Lent, read on!

Often called the Day of Ashes, Ash Wednesday starts Lent by focusing the Christian’s heart on repentance and prayer, usually through personal and communal confession. This happens during a special Ash Wednesday service.

What is the meaning of Ash Wednesday and What Happens?

During Mass (for Catholics) or worship service (for Protestants), the priest or pastor will usually share a sermon that is penitential and reflective in nature. The mood is solemn –many services will have long periods of silence and worshipers will often leave the service in silence.

Usually, there is a responsive passage of Scripture, usually centered around confession, read aloud about the leader and congregation. Attendees will experience communal confession, as well as moments where they are prompted to silently confess sins and pray.

After all of this, the congregation will be invited to receive the ashes on their foreheads. Usually, as the priest or pastor will dip his finger into the ashes, spread them in a cross pattern on the forehead, and say, “From dust you came and from dust you will return.”

Where do the Ashes Come from and What do the Ashes Symbolize?

In many congregations, the ashes are prepared by burning palm branches from the previous Palm Sunday. On Palm Sunday, churches bless and hand out palm branches to attendees, are for once to the Gospels’ account of Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when onlookers lay palm branches on his path.

The ashes of this holiday symbolize two main things: death and repentance. “Ashes are equivalent to dust, and human flesh is composed of dust or clay(Genesis2:7),and when a human corpse decomposes, it returns to dust or ash.”

“When we come forward to receive ashes on Ash Wednesday, we are saying that we are sorry for our sins, and that we want to use the season of Lent to correct our faults, purify our hearts, control our desires and grow in holiness so we will be prepared to celebrate Easter with great joy” (The CatholicSpirit.com).

With this focus on our own mortality and sinfulness, Christians can enter into the Lent season solemnly, while also looking forward in greater anticipation and joy of the message of Easter and Christ’s ultimate victory over sin and death.

The History of Lent and Ash Wednesday

The history and beginnings of Lent aren’t clear. According to Britannica.com, Lent has likely been observed:“since apostolic times, though the practice was not formalized until the First Council of Nicaea in 325 CE.” Christian scholars note that Lent became more regularized after the legalization of Christianity in A.D. 313. St. Irenaeus, Pope St. Victor I, and St. Athanasius all seem to have written about Lent during their ministries. Most agree that “by the end of the fourth century, the 40-dayperiodofEasterpreparationknownas Lent existed, and that prayer and fasting constituted its primary spiritual exercises.”

What Are You Not Allowed to Eat on Ash Wednesday?

As far as the exact rules and practices of Lent, those have changed over the years.“In the early centuries fasting rules were strict, as they still are in Eastern churches,” notes Britannica.com. “One meal a day was allowed in the evening, and meat, fish, eggs, and butter were forbidden. The Eastern church also restricts the use of wine, oil, and dairy products. In the West, these fasting rules have gradually been relaxed. The strict law of fasting among Roman Catholics was dispensed with during World War II, and only Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are now kept as Lenten fast days.”

Is Ash Wednesday Only for Catholics, Or Can Protestants Celebrate Too?

Catholic, Orthodox, and many(but not all)Protestants appreciate and observe Lent. Though Lent is not named or observed in the Bible, as Christianity Today notes, “the path of Lent— prayer, fasting, and generosity over a period of time—is heavily emphasized by the authors of and characters in the Bible, including Jesus. The Bible commands a lifestyle of worship and devotion that looks considerably like Lent. Therefore, while the word is absent in the Bible, the reality of Lent is woven throughout the whole of Scripture, as we have discovered.”

In his Gospel Coalition article Evangelicals Embracing (and Rejecting) Lent, Trevin Wax gives us an important reminder regardless of whether we personally observe Lent: “I hardly think the church is suffering from too much fasting,” Wax says.“But I do think the church is suffering from too much self-righteousness (and I include myself in this indictment). Lent – being either for or against – can become a way of climbing up on to the pedestal.”

He goes on to say, “What is more important than the practices we take on is the heart attitude behind them. If there’s anything we should give up this time of year, it’s our sense of superiority either to those outside the church or those inside the church who do things differently than we do.” Verses to Reflect on for Ash Wednesday.

If you’d like to start thinking through and observing Lent and Ash Wednesday, here are a few verses specific to Ash Wednesday to meditate and reflect on, and then a prayer you can pray to observe the day.

OurCreation:Genesis2:7-Thenthe LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

OurCurse:Genesis3:19- By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return.”

Our Cry of Repentance: Psalm51:7-10- Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in mea pure heart, O God, and renew sated fast spirit within me. Read more Ash Wednesday Scriptures and Bible Verses for Reflection

Ash Wednesday History and Origin

Ash Wednesday marks the onset of the Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and abstinence. It is also known as the 'Day of Ashes'. So called because on that day at church the faithful have their foreheads marked with ashes in the shape of a cross.

The name 'Day of Ashes' comes from "Dies Cinerum" in the Roman Missal and is found in the earliest existing copies of the Gregorian Sacramentary. The concept originated by the Roman Catholics somewhere in the 6th century. Though the exact origin of the day is not clear, the custom of marking the head with ashes on this Day is said to have originated during the papacy of Gregory the Great (590-604).

In the Old Testament ashes were found to have used for two purposes: as a sign of humility and mortality; and as a sign of sorrow and repentance for sin. The Christian con not ation for ashes in the liturgy of Ash Wednesday has also been taken from this Old Testament biblical custom.

Receiving ashes on the head as a reminder of mortality and a sign of sorrow for sin was a practiceoftheAnglo-Saxonchurchinthe10thcentury.Itwas made universal throughout the Western church at the Synod of Benevento in 1091.

Originally the use of ashes to betoken penance was a matter of private devotion. Later it became part of the official rite for reconciling public penitents. In this context, ashes on the penitent served as a motive for fellow Christians to pray for the returning inner and to feel sympathy for him. Still later, the use of ashes passed into its present rite of beginning the penitential season of Lent on Ash Wednesday.

There can be no doubt that the custom of distributing the ashes to all the faithful arose from a devotional imitation of the practice observed in the case of public penitents. But this devotional usage, the reception of a sacramental which is full of the symbolism of penance is of earlier date than was formerly supposed. It is mentioned as of general observance for both clerics and faithful in the Synod of Beneventum, 1091 (Mansi, XX, 739), but nearly a hundred years earlier than this the Anglo-Saxon homilist Ælfric assumes that it applies to all classes of men.

Putting a 'cross' mark on the forehead was in imitation of the spiritual mark or seal that is put on a Christian in baptism. This is when the newly born Christian is delivered from slavery to sin and the devil, and made a slave of righteousness and Christ (Rom. 6:3-18).

This can also be held as an adoption of the way 'righteousness' are described in the book of Revelation, where we come to know about the servants of God. The reference to the sealing of the servants of God for their protection in Revelation is an allusion to a parallel passage in Ezekiel, where Ezekiel also sees a sealing of the servants of God for their protection:

"And the LORD said to him, 'Go through the city, through Jerusalem, and put a mark upon the foreheads of the men who sigh and groan over all the abominations that are committed in it.' And to the others he said in my hearing, 'Pass through the city after him, and smite; your eye shall not spare, and you shall show no pity; slay old men out right, young men and maidens, little children and women, but touch no one upon whom is the mark. And begin at my sanctuary.' So they began with the elders who were before the house." (Ezekiel 9:4-6)

Unfortunately, like most modern translations, the one quoted above (the Revised Standard Version, which we have been quoting thus far), is not sufficiently literal. What it actually says is to place at a von the foreheads of the righteous inhabitants of Jerusalem. Tav is one of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, and in ancient script it looked like the Greek letter chi, which happens to be two crossed lines(like an "x") and which happens to be the first letter in the word "Christ" in Greek Christos). The Jewish rabbis commented on the connection between tav and chi and this is undoubtedly the mark Revelation has in mind when the servants of God are sealed in it.

The early Church Fathers seized on this tav-chi-cross-christos connection and expounded it in their homilies, seeing in Ezekiela prophetic fore shadowing of the sealing of Christians as servants of Christ. It is also part of the background to the Catholic practice of making the sign of the cross, which in the early centuries (as can be documented from the second century on) was practiced by using one's thumb to furrow one's brow with a small sign of the cross, like Catholics do today at the reading of the Gospel during Mass.

Peace on Earth

Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined. Thou hast multiplied the nation, and not increased the joy: they joy before thee according to the joy in harvest, and as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For thou hast broken the yoke of his burden, and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor, as in the day of Midian. For every battle of the warrior is with confused noise, and garments rolled in blood; but this shall be with burning and fuel of fire. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

In that day shall this song be sung in the land of Judah; We have a strong city; salvation will God appoint for walls and bulwarks. Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength: for he bringeth down them that dwell on high; the lofty city, he layeth it low; he layeth it low, even to the ground; he bringeth it even to the dust. The foot shall tread it down, even the feet of the poor, and the steps of the needy. The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the path of the just. Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

Let favour be shewed to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteousness: in the land of uprightness will he deal unjustly, and will not behold the majesty of the LORD. LORD, when thy hand is lifted up, they will not see: but they shall see, and be ashamed for their envy at the people; yea, the fire of thine enemies shall devour them. LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O LORD our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, good will toward men. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart. And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; and that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; and are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. I beseech Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the Lord. And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow labourers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you. Depart from evil, and do good; Seek peace, and pursue it.

Jesus concerning you.

Merry & Bright: Celebrating Christmas Every Day

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, Art not the least among the princes of Juda: For out of thee shall come a Governor, That shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: But he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh. and be ye kind one to another, tender hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And a light unto my path.

It is of the LORD's mercies that we are not consumed, Because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: Great is thy faithfulness.But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.

PSALM 103

A Psalm of David.

1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: And all that is within me, bless his holy name.

2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all his benefits:

3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;

4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; Who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; So that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6 The LORD executeth righteousness and judgment For all that are oppressed.

7 He made known his ways unto Moses, His acts unto the children of Israel.

8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, Slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

9 He will not always chide: Neither will he keep his anger for ever.

10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, So great is his mercy toward them that fear him.

12 As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

13 Like as a father pitieth his children, So the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

14 For he knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.

15 As for man, his days are as grass: As a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.

16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; And the place thereof shall know it no more.

17 But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children's children;

18 To such as keep his covenant, And to those that remember his commandments to do them.

19 The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; And his kingdom ruleth over all.

20 Bless the LORD, ye his angels, that excel in strength, That do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word.

21 Bless ye the LORD, all ye his hosts; Ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.

22 Bless the LORD, all his works in all places of his dominion: Bless the LORD, O my soul.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

One Like a Son of Man

This phrase is used in the New Testament in reference to Jesus, especially in respect to his second coming. Whether it actually a Messianic image or refers to someone or something else is not known. However, consider for the moment that it does refer to Jesus, the Messiah, the Christ. The kingdom established by Jesus is everlasting.

It is in us, it is in the world and it comes to completion in heaven. This kingdom cannot be destroyed. There have been times in history when it seemed like Christianity would be wiped out and there will be times in the future when there will be those who want to destroy it. Just as in Daniel's vision, all dominion is given to Christ. St. Paul tells us that Christ will reign until all authority and powers have been subjected to him, and the last enemy to be destroyed is death.

If all authority rests in Christ, what are we doing if we turn away from his teachings and give ourselves into the authority of those who would lead us away from him? There are so many voices out there trying to tell us which way to go and most of them are not the voice of God.

These voices tell us to hate, to use violence to settle problems, to take whatever pleasure we can because this is all there is! Satan would love us to buy into the lie. He doesn't give up easily. We can follow Jesus and believe in all his promises, or we can follow Satan and believe his lies. To whom do we give authority over our lives and our afterlife?

No One Knows

Today is the last day of the liturgical year and once again, but not for the last time, we are considering the end of the world, but the more important part of this passage to me is that Jesus' words will not pass away.

The teachings of Jesus, the promises of Jesus, his command to love others will never pass away. The parables, the Beatitudes, his warnings, all have so much packed into them that it we will never be able to so search their meaning for us that we can say, we know it all and understand it all. After nearly two thousand years we are still learning what Jesus has to teach us.

Jesus is letting us know that all future generations will have the same opportunity to learn from him. Yes, the original disciples thought that Jesus' return was imminent, but as their peers began to die, they realized that it was important to write down all that Jesus said and did while those that knew him were still alive.

Fortunately, people had collected Jesus' sayings and they had kept the letters sent to the churches so there was a good amount of information to let us know what Jesus wanted us to know. I' m sure that there are many things that were missed, but I am so grateful for those who took the time to write down their memories of Jesus as well as those who wrote down his sayings.

I am also glad that those who put together the New Testament included all four Gospels. Mark gives us a lot of Jesus' actions, but few of his words. Luke and Matthew worked from Mark's Gospel as well as from the document of his sayings and John let us know more about who he said he was. We will never learn it all, so we must continue to read and reread his words.

Be Watchful! Be Alert! Advent is Here!

We are given these four weeks each year to get ready for the coming of Christ, but what does that mean?

For many people, this means checking off a list of presents we need to buy for family and friends. For some, it means going into debt. What does this have to do with preparing for Christ? For thousands of years the Jewish people have prepared and watched for the Messiah. What were they looking for? Their idea of a Messiah was of a powerful king and so they missed the signs that pointed to Jesus.

We, too, can miss the signs of the presence of Christ among us. Christmas celebrates the fact that Jesus came, lived his life as a model for us, died for us to save us from the punishment of our sins, and rose from the dead so that we would know of our salvation and the love of God that promises forgiveness and the gift of eternal life. We can best prepare for Christmas by celebrating this reality every day.

Advent is a time for us to think about this great gift and ask ourselves how we are preparing to meet him when he comes again. If we put all our energies into shopping, we are missing the mark. Just as we are Easter people, living with a sense of joy in our salvation, we are Christmas people, welcoming Christ into our world each day in the people we meet, in the circumstances where we find ourselves.

In the story of the Fourth Wiseman, our hero falls behind in his search for the newborn king because he stops and helps people in need for thirty-three years and finally meets him at the foot of the cross on Calvary. He then realizes that he has "met" Christ in all the people he helped over those years. This Advent, let's be alert and watchful and recognize the signs that Christ is among us.