My Advent wreath and candles, the joyous sounds of the carols everywhere, my nativity scene, the beautiful lights reminding me that Jesus is the true light of the world, reading the scriptures regarding Jesus’ birth, and preparing a home for the Christ-child in my heart,are all constant reminders for me, that, Jesus is the reason for the season and therefore, keeping Christ in Christmas. I never say happy holidays to anyone,my greeting is always, ‘Merry Christmas’.  

As we celebrate this season of joy, let us remember the reason for the season; because of Jesus’ birth, we are renewed,we are marked as joint heirs with Him. This season should be celebrated fully to His honor and glory. We are so thankful that you came into this world to save sinners, you love us unconditionally, and you remind us that we should also love one another. So, help us to lend a hand this season to the less fortunate. Help us to remember the poor, the homeless, the destitute, those who are in prisons and hospitals; for God assures us, that, if we offer food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, our light shall rise in the darkness and God’s promises are true. Heavenly Father, we know that we have been blessed in so many ways, and as you continue to bless us, help us to be a blessing to others, help us to continually thank you for the things that we do have and not worry or complain about the things that we don’t have. (Excerpt from PFEL)

For me, the joy of the Lord in my life is linked with the hope I have in him, and the peace that he gives me. My hope is built on nothing less, than Jesus blood and righteousness, when I think of all that he has done for me, I am humbled and it fills me with his peace, and when I am at peace with God, my heart is filled with joy unspeakable. Thank you,Lord!

The joy of the Lord is fully experienced when we are walking in God’s way, when we abstain from evil and love righteousness. Luke chapter seventeen and verse fifteen reminds us that, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. My brothers and sisters in Christ, let us who love righteousness and hate iniquity help to spread the good news of salvation, so that those who do not know Christ may come to know him and experience his joy.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, who is the joy of your heart? Who sustains you through troubles and trials? Who fills your heart with unspeakable joy?  God gave us his son who fills us with his hope, his peace and his joy. We should allow no one to rob us of our hope, our peace and our joy which is found in him and him alone. “The Joy of the Lord is your strength!”

When we are preparing to welcome a new baby into the home there is much preparation, so too, let us prepare the manger for the Christ-Child, because the joy he brings will be like no other.

Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, he has come to his people to set them free, he has raised up for us a mighty savior, born of the house of his servant David. Through his holy prophets he promised of old, that he would save us from our enemies, and from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham, to set us free from the hands of our enemies, free to worship without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You my child shall be call the prophet of the Most High; for he will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation, by the forgiveness of their sins. In the tender compassion of our God, the dawn on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace. (Benedictus Dominus Deus)

Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. For every Valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. Luke 3:1-6

My brothers and sisters in Christ, who have ears to hear the word of the Lord, let them hear; for there are many like John the Baptist preaching to us from every corner of the earth, repent and be baptized. John said, “I baptize you with water for repentance, but after me will come One more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.”

He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’ This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. People went out to him from all of Jerusalem and the countryside of Judea. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. Mark 1:3-5