“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” - John 1:5

“We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.” - Psalm 33:20

“O star of wonder, star of night; Star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.”

“Then Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; the one who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” - John 8:12

Inspired by the Lord’s awe, might, power and sovereignty as described in Job 38.

“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” - Luke 2:13-15

“They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” - Isaiah 11:9

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” - Psalm 91:4

On a frigid December evening, I was on my way home from shopping. My trunk was full of shopping bags. I stopped at a light beside a man sitting on the cement sidewalk with only a small, dirty blanket over his lap and knee. His exposed knee had rips in his jeans so large, I was cold just looking at them. His head was bowed down and I noticed his cup. An ache overcame my heart. I felt a tingling sensation around my eyes, knowing what was coming next. We don’t have a lot of money, but I am in a warm car with a heated seat and I have bags filled with gifts, heading home to my warm house with a Christmas tree and presents under it. Abundance is the word that comes to mind. In a brief moment, I’m battling mixed emotions: tears for this man’s plight, and suddenly, I’m fighting the urge to judge, ‘Is he really in need or just acting this way like so many people do on these corners?’ How can I know? I asked the Lord to check my heart. Then, the light turned green and I took off. Who am I to judge anyone and their circumstances? I know what it looks like for our family to look “normal”, yet receive judgement that everything is fine but instead, it’s falling to pieces. I’m no different than that man. He needs a warm place to sit, maybe a meal. I need a rescuer to save me from my sinful thoughts and ways. We all need a rescuer. I prayed for the man that night but he has lingered in my heart and now he’s on the page of my advent journal. Lord, thank you for the ABUNDANCE we ALL have access to in your son Jesus, the greatest gift we could EVER receive. As I prepare my heart for his arrival, Lord, help me hear your voice to guide me with what to do when I encounter people in need - Lord, only you know their story, I can’t tell anything from looks. I know my heart is prepared when it breaks for what breaks yours, and I ask that your Holy Spirit in me will move me to be your hands and feet. And Father, above all, help me to be like Jesus in all ways. Thank you for the gift of Jesus. 🤍“‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” - Matthew 25:40

“For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will…” - Ephesians 1:4-5

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” - Luke 9:23-24

“Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.” - Ephesians 3:17-18

Inspired by Matthew 21:1-11; “And when He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" - Matthew 21:10

Lowly, gentle, humble, servant, loving, poor, kind, good…What does having an unexpected king mean to you?

“Come, thou long expected Jesus, born to set thy people free; from our fears and sins release us, let us find our rest in thee. 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.”- ‘Come Thou Long Expected Jesus’ by Charles Wesley, United Methodist Hymnal, 1989

Inspired by the 1719 hymn ‘Joy to the World’ and Psalm 98: 4-9

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth: make a loud noise, and rejoice, and sing praise.

Sing unto the Lord with the harp; with the harp, and the voice of a psalm.

With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together

Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.”

“The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” - Psalm 24:1-6

“One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” - Psalm 27:4