A special time of celebration

First let me convey a big “THANK YOU!” from both Yolanda and I for your love, prayers, cards, phone calls and visits to brighten our days! It has been a long road and there is still a long way to go before I am anywhere near full cognitive and physical capacities, so please continue to keep us in your prayers. We love you all and are so thankful for each and every one of you!

And now let us turn our thoughts to the seasons of Advent and Christmas. Oh how I enjoy this time of year. There are many who feel this same way while for others the season starting with Thanksgiving and going all the way through the Twelve Days of Christmas is very difficult. Please be on special watch to lift the spirits of a brother or sister in Christ who might be grieving, lonely or distraught. All of us, as the body of Christ, are to support, love and build one another up as we share the Joy of the Lord. Advent is a special time of year. There are decorations, family gatherings, meals, parties, special children’s activities, and special worship services all to help us make preparations to celebrate the birth of the Messiah so long ago.

Advent is also the time of year to make preparations for the second coming of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior! My prayer is for us to have a holy season of joy rather than getting caught up in the rapid pace and commercialization of Christmas. I hope the special Advent devotionals will help you slow down and augment your time of focusing on your special eternal relationship with the Almighty.

And of course, we cannot forget Christmas! Christmas is a special time of celebration. The ultimate gift was given long ago: Jesus Christ, the Messiah, for the salvation of humanity. My prayer is that every heart would be touched during this season, everyone would accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and that the Joy of the Lord and the Fruits of the Spirit would be seen in and through everyone.

By the way, don’t expect us to take down our decorations until after the Twelve Days of Christmas because we do like to celebrate!

May we continue to give thanks each and every day and in all situations remembering whose we are: Children of God. And may each of us have a joyous season sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all we meet!