Some of us may have started out this year with every good intention to follow Jesus, but, somewhere along the way we allowed ourselves to be swayed by other distractions, but, God understands. So, before we begin to make any New Year resolutions, let us take some time to reflect back on 2017. Let us try to name the things that caused us to lose our way, write them down, and bring them before God, asking for his guidance in the New Year.  We can do nothing in our own strength, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Let us learn to follow Jesus one step at a time, keeping our eyes fixed on him, who is the author and finisher of our faith.

“The Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness more than light, because their deeds were evil.”  My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us let us strive to put away all our evil deeds and walk in God’s marvelous light. There is nothing hidden from God, so if we continue to do evil deeds under the cover of darkness, know that God sees everything and will reward everyone of us according to our deeds.

“Joy to the world the Lord is come, let earth receive her King, let every heart prepare him room and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and nature sing, and heaven and heaven and nature sing!” We are no longer living in darkness we have see a great light. My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us share the light with all those whom we encounter who are still living in darkness, so that they too could come to enjoy the great light. Jesus, the light of the world has come! He is the light of my life. Won’t you make him the light of your life?

“Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born! While shepherds kept their watching, over silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens, there shone a holy light. The shepherds feared and trembled, when lo above the earth, rang out the angel chorus that hailed our savior’s birth. Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere! Go, tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born.”

May the miracle of the first Christmas continue to fill your hearts and mine with joy. Too many of us lose focus on the true meaning of Christmas. God sent his son Jesus to be our Emmanuel, meaning, God is with us. So, let us unwrap and keep enjoying the greatest gift ever given to us. Jesus, the light of the world! “O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!”

“Sing choirs of angels, sing in exultation, sing all ye citizens of heaven above; glory to God, glory in the highest, O come let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord! Child for us sinners, poor and in the manger, we would embrace thee, with love, and awe, who would not thee, loving us so dearly? O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord!”

The wait is over! Unto us, a Child is born, unto us, a Son is given! Come, worship, come, and worship, Christ the new-born King! Shepherds in the fields abiding, watching o’re your flocks by night, God with you is now residing, yonder shines the infant light. Come, and worship, come, and worship, worship Christ the new-born King! Sages leave your contemplations, brighter visions beam afar, seek the great Desire of nations, ye have seen His natal star. Come, and worship, come, and worship, worship Christ the new-born King! Saints before the altar bending, watching on in hope and fear, suddenly the Lord descending, in his temple has appear. Come, and worship, come, and worship, worship Christ the new-born King!  Let the celebrations begin! Merry Christmas to one and all! Let Christ abide in our hearts and our homes. Praise the Lord!

Just then, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the City of David a Savior has been born to you. He is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:9-11

“To you this night is born a child of Mary, chosen virgin mild, this new-born child of lowly birth, shall be the joy of all the earth. This is the Christ, God’s Son most high, who hears your sad and bitter cry, he will himself you Savior be, and from all sin will set you free. The blessing which the Father planned, the Son holds in his infant hand, that in his kingdom, bright and fair, you may with us his glory share.” Amen!

“Not as of old a little child, to bear, and fight, and die, but crowned with glory like the sun that lights the morning sky. The King shall come when morning dawns, and earth’s dark night is past, O haste the rising of that morn, the day that e’re shall last. So let the endless bliss begin, by weary saints fore-told, when right shall triumph over wrong, and truth shall be extolled. The king shall come morning dawns and light and beauty brings, hail Christ the Lord, thy people pray, come quickly King of Kings.”