One of the songs I led was the quirky hit “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night, which became a bridge to deeper worship, connecting silly joy with reverent praise.

When the twins returned, Alice discovered Jesus under the couch, illustrating how, like in life, sometimes we need to seek God intentionally to rediscover His presence.

While scholars have written volumes about the incarnation, my grandson’s enthusiasm for the coming of Jesus brought me back to the essence of Christmas—celebrating the Savior’s birth with simple, childlike joy.

Advent calls us to reflect on God’s faithfulness, just as David reflected on God’s deliverance, and to remember that the reason we wake each day is because God sustains us.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus and await His return, we can relate to the Israelites’ longing for deliverance and the sense of waiting that often makes our hope feel distant, yet we know Jesus will return to restore all things.

After discovering my grandchildren's playful rearranging of nativity figures, I reflected on how even small disruptions can remind us of the enduring presence of Jesus in our lives.

Though we might imagine the angels singing, the Bible tells us they were declaring God's glory and peace, a message we are called to repeat with our words and actions.

In the midst of Christmas traditions like writing letters to Santa, we are reminded that prayer is not a wish list but a deep connection with our Creator, as taught by Jesus.

Amid the busyness of December, both children and adults struggle to find stillness, but Advent invites us to slow down and prepare our hearts for the celebration of Christ's birth.

Jesus was fully aware that His message of love and truth would not be embraced by all, and this rejection still echoes in the world today.

In the tension of Advent’s waiting, we are reminded that God’s timing is perfect, and through longing for His return, we find strength and hope in His promises.

While it's natural to seek perfect gifts for loved ones, James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God, who offers the ultimate gift of salvation through Jesus.

With the deeper, more meaningful truth that Dolly Parton and the apostle John recognize—Christmas is about much more than magic.

In the story of the Last Supper, the disciples fail to notice the pitcher, bowl, and towel by the door, consumed by the tensions of the moment, much like how we often overlook the reason we celebrate amid the busyness of the Christmas season.

Despite the distractions of false teachings, only Jesus, the true Shepherd, can offer real peace and salvation, and as I consider my legacy, I want to emphasize that while material things may fade, Jesus is the essential truth to hold onto.

Yes, there may still be enemies visible, and yes, we may still be dealing with lingering consequences of sin, but we must never forget that Jesus has already paid the price for our sins on the cross, and by His blood, we are forgiven!

The Bible assures us that God is good, and his goodness is evident in his constant love and care, offering refuge and strength in times of trouble, as seen in verses like Nahum 1:7.

Wishing you all a joyful Thanksgiving, filled with gratitude and love, knowing that God loves you deeply and is always with you.

While many things can bring momentary happiness, such as success or good health, true joy comes from walking in the truth of Christ and living in alignment with God's will.

Though we will continue to wait in this life, we don’t need to wait for abundant life—it has already begun, and God is always present, ready to hear from us and meet our needs.