Today is the Fourth and final Sunday of Advent… Advent is not just the beginning of the church year, or preparation for Christmas, but a season of penitence and fasting. As Christians, we should look back to the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and look forward to the future when Christ will come again, while preparing a loving home for Christ in our hearts where he may dwell. Today, a candle is burning, a candle of Love; a candle to point us to heaven above, a baby for Christmas, a wonderful birth; for Jesus is bringing God’s Love to our earth. Thank you Lord, for your Son Jesus, the Savior of the world!

“Israel’s strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art; dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart. Born thy people to deliver, born a child and yet a King, born to reign in us forever, now thy gracious kingdom bring. By thine own eternal spirit, rule in all our hearts alone; by thine all sufficient merit, raise us to thy glorious throne.” Amen!

“Ye children of men attend to thy word, so solemnly uttered by Jesus the Lord, and let not his message to you be in vain, ye must be born again.” My brothers and sisters in Christ, you may have been walking down the broad road which leads to sin and death, you must be tired and weary, come to Jesus, believe him, receive him, let him create in you a clean heart and renew a right spirit within you. My brothers and sisters in Christ, it’s time for a new beginning; if you receive Christ today you will become a new person and old things will pass away and you will be born again, you will become a new creation, seeking the things of God. Won’t you accept him today?

“I will never get tired of telling the story of Jesus my King, who left the bright throne of his glory, and came to earth to save us from sin. Oh, the wonderful gift of the gospel, that each in our hearts may receive, it offers to all free salvation, and happy are they who believe. How could we get tired of telling his love to the poor and oppressed; when he is tenderly calling, come, hither, ye weary and rest? We will never get tired of telling, of yonder bright mansions above, where we shall behold our Redeemer, and dwell in the smile of his love.” Praise the Lord!

What a wonderful promise – that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Well then, is it a question of the truth to that promise, or do you think you have time, or you do not feel worthy to call on the Lord? My brothers and sisters in Christ, whosoever will may come. The time to repent is now. The place to begin is here. Today is time accepted for all. Do not delay, for we know not the hour or the day in which Jesus Christ will make his appearance. Do not be caught off guard. Do not be afraid or ashamed. Call on the Lord today, while he may yet be found, tomorrow may be too late.

Many of us are so hard on others. We find it so hard to forgive one another, yet, despite our manifold sins and wickedness, God is saying to us, “repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” Who else could love us so much, that he knew of our shortcomings, he knew that we would not be able to redeem ourselves, so he sent his Son Jesus for our redemption. “He died that we might be forgiven, he died to make us good, that we might go at last to heaven, saved by his precious blood.” Come Lord Jesus!

Dear God, many of us are waiting for your kingdom coming, and many are still not ready for your second coming. My prayer this morning is for you to help us to be in a continuous state of readiness, to be always on our guards, being watchful and prayerful for the day in which you will come. This morning Lord, break the tyrannies of sin that has enslaved so many of us for too long, break every stronghold on our lives that is preventing us from faithfully serving you, show us the way of salvation and light, and rekindle in our hearts a longing for you. Make us ready Lord, for thy rule O Christ to begin. Amen!

How many this morning are honest enough to make this confession? We have all sinned, we have all made grievous mistakes, and as a result we are burdened with the consequences. But, do you know that Jesus still sits on the mercy seat? Do you know that his door is always open to welcome you? No matter where we have been, or what we have done, we serve a God of second chances; a God who is always ready to forgive; so even though your sins be like scarlet, he will make them white as snow. All you need to do is to confess your sins, knowing he is faithful and just and will forgive us from all unrighteousness. Therefore, do not be afraid or ashamed to knock, and when God answers that knock, open your heart and let him in. Praise the Lord!

Dear Lord, we are thankful for the joy that you bring to us; help us to see and to understand that in you is fullness of joy; help us to turn aside from the distractions of this world that prevents us from sharing in your joy, walking in your joy, and hoping in your joy and focus on you. As we celebrate this season in hope, peace, joy and love, may we be always hopeful, peaceful, joyful and loving; may we keep the candles of hope, peace, joy, and love burning in our hearts always, may we share these with others who are still walking in darkness, and by you and I shining the light that is in us, the light of Christ, others will be led by it; for the light reminds us, that Jesus is the light of the world that comes into the darkness of our lives to bring newness, hope, peace, joy and love. It also reminds us, that we are called to be a light to the world, as we reflect the light of God’s grace to us and project it on others. My brothers and sisters in Christ, have you experienced God’s marvelous light? If you have not yet experienced it, it’s worth a try, for when you are blinded by the light, you will have no other choice but to allow God to lead you and guide in the path he prepared for you. Praise the Lord!

 “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me, let there be peace on earth, the peace that was meant to be, with God as our father, children all are we, let us walk with each other in perfect harmony. Let there be peace on earth, let this be the moment now, with every step I take, let this be my solemn vow, to take each moment, and live each moment, in peace eternally, let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”