We never tire of hearing about the birth of Christ. We’re familiar with the story of Mary and Joseph and their journey to Bethlehem. We also know about the three wise men, but do you know about a man named Simeon, who waited to behold the face of the promised Messiah? Simeon had a reputation for being a righteous and devout man. The Holy Spirit told him he would live to see the Messiah. Simeon’s faithfulness to God’s promise stands as a powerful witness for those who wait on the Lord.

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14). (ESV)

This was a prophecy that was written 700 years before the birth of Christ. God sent a message of hope to Israel despite their persistent unbelief and idolatry. God wanted them to understand precisely who he would send into the world. Unlike other religions, Christianity is the only one that has fulfilled the messianic prophecies concerning Jesus. Christ came as a baby to redeem and save us from eternal death. The joy of Christmas is whom we celebrate: Jesus. As we approach Christmas, may we reflect on the miraculous birth and the hope we have in the world’s Savior, Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate gift, and He offers salvation to those willing to accept it.

When we reflect on all we are thankful for, nothing compares to the abundance of God's love. His love is unconditional, deep, and so vast that it's unfathomable for our human minds to comprehend. The most incredible display of his love for us was the sacrifice of his only son, Jesus, so we could obtain eternal salvation. He redeemed us from death and eternal separation for those willing to accept it. His love is infinite and should compel us to have a grateful heart. 

1 Samuel 17:37, 44-47 (ESV) and David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw the bear would deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” And Saul said to David, “Go, and the Lord be with you! The Philistine said to David, “Come to me, and I will give your flesh to the birds of the air and to the beasts of the field.” Then David said to the Philistine, “You come to me with the sword and with a spear and with the javelin, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of armies of Israel, whom you have defied. This day the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and I will strike you down and cut off your head and I will give the dead bodies of the host of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and to the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel, and that all this assembly may know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear. For the battle is the Lord’s, and he will give you into our hand (1 Samuel 17: 37,44-47).

The giants we face in our lives may not look like Goliath, but they could overwhelm or distract us from our relationship with God. Some giants can be situational. Perhaps it’s a relationship or a medical diagnosis looming over us and appears insurmountable. David looked beyond what was in front of him. If we allow our problems to overwhelm us, it’s difficult to see a way out.The goal of the believer is to step out in faith.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way (1 Timothy 2:1-2). (ESV)

Paul encourages us to pray for our leaders. Praying for those in positions of authority is imperative because they make decisions that directly impact our lives. Their decisions affect our families, schools, laws enacted, our economy, and churches. As Christians and citizens of our country, we must also exercise our right to vote. We should seek the Lord’s wisdom and discern who best governs and represents us. Let’s do our part as believers, pray for our leaders, take a stand for Christ, and get involved in civic duties. When our decisions and prayers are aligned with God’s will, faithful prayer can bring about significant change in our nation and will fill us with hope.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7). Wisdom is from God alone. The foundation for its application is the fear of God. “Fear” implies reverence, worship, and submission to the Lord. Wisdom is acknowledging God's authority and offering him the worship he deserves. It is understanding that life's significance is derived through a humble approach to God with a servant's heart. Wisdom equips us for godly living through biblical instruction and aids us in developing individual discernment.

Christians understand that the gospel's journey does not come from human strength but through our weaknesses, shared opposition, and sometimes, suffering. The Holy Spirit instructs us and gives wisdom and discernment. We are transformed by his saving power, and a profound change occurs in our thoughts and actions. As believers, we are charged to bear witness to the wondrous work of Jesus which will lead others to Christ. The power described here is the ability and authority through the Holy Spirit to boldly witness the truth of the gospel.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).

In our ever-changing world, we face inevitable challenges and life-altering circumstances. We soon discover that trends will come and go, and people will come in and out of our lives. Amid these fluctuations, it’s crucial to remember that one thing remains steadfast and unchanging: the nature of our God. His nature has been consistent from generation to generation, providing a firm foundation for our faith and a source of comfort in uncertain times.

Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord(Psalm 27:14 ESV)!

Do you trust and have confidence in God’s timing?

It’s no coincidence that the word wait is repeated in this verse. David genuinely understood the importance of waiting on the Lord. Overcoming his tribulations was made evident by his reliance on the Lord’s provision and his humble submission, which provided a valuable lesson to the generations that came after him.

Is there something that you are currently waiting for? Perhaps you’re hoping for a new job, a financial breakthrough, physical healing, or a relationship to be restored. To us, it may appear as if he is slow in his response, and we don’t recognize what he is doing in the background. He is always in the details. When we offer God our thoughts and surrender our will for his, we are transformed. As we patiently wait, he gives us a profound sense of peace and courage to persevere.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4).

Delighting in the Lord is not only about taking pleasure of being in his presence, but finding joy in his teachings, love, and grace. It goes beyond the surface-level satisfaction derived from worldly things. Spiritual delight is the filling of our hearts in a way that only God can provide. Although this scripture says God will give us the “desires of our hearts,” it doesn’t necessarily mean that he will grant us a luxurious new car or a big house just because we asked. Possessions acquired from the world are temporary and don’t bring satisfaction. Although our hearts may yearn for material things, it's important to remember that worldly desires are fleeting, but the value of delighting in the Lord is everlasting.

Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest” (Matthew 9: 37-38).

When Jesus exhorted his disciples to pray for the harvest, his heart was grieved over the condition of the hearts around them. They were helpless, lost, and unaware of their condition. The “harvest” Jesus referred to then is the exact condition of the people in our world today. There are people who have yet to hear the good news of Jesus and receive healing. There is so much work to be done while we are still here on earth.

Luke 24:1-9 (ESV)

As the women approached the tomb to anoint the body of Jesus, they discovered that the stone was rolled away and Jesus’ body was not there. Before he was crucified, Jesus told his disciples that he would leave Earth and go to prepare a place for them. Did the disciples believe him? Or perhaps their minds could not comprehend how this would occur. After Jesus was crucified, they grieved that he was no longer physically with them. However, the disciples didn’t understand that Jesus’ departure was for our benefit. Jesus died in our place so that we could spend eternity with him. The resurrection is the center of the Gospel message and is a testament to God's immense power and sovereignty. Death had no power over him, and we can share the victory of death through him.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ  reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 17-18,21).

One of humanity's most sought-after pursuits is discovering their identity. Their identity is what makes them unique and feel significant. People seek their identity in their careers, sexual orientation, on social media, or in their financial status. Many of us look to the world through temporary sources and the approval of others to justify our choices. By doing this, we will only encounter despair and discontentment. Anything we attempt to substitute in place of God will leave us empty and yearning. Apart from Christ, all hope is lost. But the good news is that Jesus came to bore our sins so that, through reconciliation, the wrongs we have done can be made right, before God. When we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, our identity ensures, a greater purpose and hope.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).

Have you ever wondered if God is with you?

Sometimes, it can feel like we are walking alone through life. It may seem like God isn’t present or has abandoned us. The nation of Israel experienced these feelings; amid the pain of their exile, they cried out to God. He responded to them through the prophets, who offered encouragement and hope because of God’s promises. We must always look to God’s promises, especially when we experience life's challenges. We serve a mighty God; no situation is too complicated for him. Just as God used Israel's adversity, for his greater purpose, he will use ours to strengthen our faith and for his glory. In his presence, we will find renewed strength and peace.

But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:31 NIV).

In what or who do you place your hope?

Hope implies patience and trust and depends on God’s timing. It also requires genuine faith and confidence in his sovereignty. The Lord is faithful. He will provide supernatural strength when we are weak. We have all faced situations that looked hopeless. Perhaps we felt defeated. But when we turn our eyes to the Lord he lifts us, restores our hope, and offers us peace.

Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life, but whoever ignores correction leads others astray (Proverbs 10:17 NIV).

How do you respond to the correction of the Holy Spirit?

A humble and teachable spirit is demonstratable fruit when we walk with the Lord. When we acknowledge that we are not perfect, and fall short of God’s glory, the sanctification process of the Holy Spirit begins. When Jesus left the earth, he sent the Holy Spirit to be our helper and counselor (John 14:26). His role as sanctifier is to direct and correct us, but we all have a choice to heed his instruction. Our Father in Heaven instructs, corrects, and disciplines us just as a loving parent disciplines their child. He pursues us because he loves us and wants us to live to our fullest potential for his kingdom.

Oh come, let us sing to the Lord; let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation! Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth; the heights of the mountains are his also. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land. Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker (Psalm 95:1-6 ESV)!

The Hebrew word “worship” translated means to bow down. Bowing down before the Lord is an act of reverence and submission. True worship demonstrates a posture of our hearts and attitudes. God created us for worship. Sitting quietly enveloped in his presence and offering him our worship is a privilege and an honor.

Matthew 1:18-25 (NIV)

How does the birth of Jesus resonate in your heart?

The story of the birth of Jesus Christ is extraordinary. Above all women, God chose Mary’s womb to carry the Messiah. Though Mary was perplexed by the message of the angel, she responded in faith and submitted herself in obedience. Mary knew that someday she would watch her son suffer an agonizing death for her sins and the sins of the world, yet she willingly carried in her body the means of our salvation. Eternal salvation is a gift; we can’t earn it, and though we don’t deserve it, we are offered it anyway because Jesus loves us and doesn’t want anyone to perish. What a blessed assurance and hope we have in Jesus. It's our choice; it’s a decision we all must make. Will you choose Jesus?

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV).

How are you being an example of Jesus to others?

When Jesus delivered the sermon on the Mount, he used “light” to describe the godliness we are to display. If we proclaim Christ as our Lord and Savior, our mission is to be a living testimony. Our actions will bring hope and draw them closer to Jesus. He is our only hope to pull us out of the darkness of this world, and guide us on the right path.

Psalm 106:1 (NIV)

Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever.

In the United States, the Thanksgiving holiday will be celebrated by families gathering together to count their blessings. It is a time to remember that there is much to be thankful for. God is and has been so good to all who enjoy the liberties of this nation. He ensures we have the provisions necessary to sustain us. Knowing this, may we come to the Lord with a grateful heart and prioritize to thank Him daily. His provisions are evident, as is His abundant love for us. God’s unconditional love can never be taken from us; it's eternal. This truth alone is worthy of all praise! We must never take His love for granted; instead, we are to offer Him the recognition and honor He deserves.