We know that our hope is not an empty hope. I love these lyrics… “Our hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.” Jesus freed us from sin and shame. He made a way for us to live in love and joy and peace.

Whatever our circumstance Jesus has provided a way for us. And he has placed in our hearts a desire for something more than this world has to offer. We know that God has something better for us. And yet, while we are here, we should not only live in hope and expectation but live well because of that hope. Because Hope with a capital “H” resides in us… We get to be Hope givers to a weary and hurting world. We get to share our Hope so that others are liberated and can also walk free from chains of despair, addiction, and fear. And though that song is not a Christmas song, it certainly is perfect for the Christmas season. Not only of glitter and tinsel, but a season of light brought into the darkness, of hope where there is oppression, a season of redemption and renewal.  This Christmas may your life be the banner of Hope to a weary world….

Jesus IS our peace. The Prince of Peace is our ultimate source of peace. But… how do we get from Jesus being our peace to actually living a peaceful life? How in this tumultuous unpeaceful world can we have peace?

Because of Christ living in you… you can bring God’s perfect peace wherever you go. Don’t let the craziness of the season rob you of your peace. Make it a point to take some time to pause, reflect, meditate, and set your heart roots deep. His peace will come and fill you and… Experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7

Take time to receive God’s gift of Peace and share it with others.

May this be the Christmas when you are overwhelmed with Peace.

Life might not be easy for you right now. Might even feel like one crazy curveball after another. Seemingly hitting more walls and closed doors than ever thought possible. Yet, we do not walk alone or abandoned. As Christ followers we have the confidence that not only has Jesus walked ahead of us, experiencing our pain and despair; He walks with us today so

we are never alone, encouraging us to lean on Him and receive from Him what we need for each day.

Whatever your circumstance… Be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies

gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So, when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy.

1 Peter 1:6-8

May your heart be filled with the joy that only Jesus brings. 

And this Christmas may your heart overflow with that joy… bringing light and life and hope to others.

This is the beginning of a true love story.

This is the 4th Sunday of Advent and today we light the candle of LOVE.

My hope is that this season will cause your heart to swell with joy for

this amazing gift of Love. 

The story of a Father and His Son. And Their great love for you and me.

If it were not for this love… why would the Father have allowed His

Son to make such a great sacrifice? Why would a King allow Himself to

be subjected to humiliation, rejection, and death… if it were not for love? How do we really know this is about love?

Jesus said this…

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.” John 15:9

That is a wonderful thought… but how do we really know He loves us as the Father has loved him? “And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when a person lays down his life for his

friends.” John 15:13

Jesus exemplified that love for us when He came to earth, suffered, and died for our sins. God is so rich in mercy; he loved us so much that even though we were spiritually dead and doomed by our sins, he gave us back our lives again when he raised Christ from the dead—only by his undeserved

favor have we ever been saved— and lifted us up from the grave into glory along with Christ, where we sit with him in the heavenly realms—all because of what Christ Jesus did. Ephesians 2:4-6

This is love…

This an amazing gift…

This is God’s gift to you, and not anything you have done on your own. When you’re offered a gift, you have a choice… you can either receive it or reject it.

It’s rare that we would reject a gift. Generally, we receive gifts… though we may set them aside or return them for something else. This gift that God has offered us is not a gift to be set aside. It is a sacrificial gift.

It’s the ultimate love gift.

This Christmas you have the opportunity to accept God’s gift of love… new life that comes from receiving the gift of Jesus and choosing to follow Him and make Him your Lord and Savior. If you haven’t already… I hope you will open your hands and heart right now and receive it gladly.

Nothing will make Christmas more meaningful than to accept the ultimate love gift… Jesus. Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!