Dear one, when dark days overtake you, know that Jesus has come to be the True Light that shines in the world. He has come to hold you close to His heart while you are being formed according to His purpose. Rest in His care as He molds and shapes you for the work ahead and while His plan for your life continues to unfold.

At this time of year, we reflect and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, Mary’s son and Mary’s Lord and Savior. We join the angels in praising God for this newborn child and prepare for His return when He will restore those who trust in Him to the way it was prior to Eve’s fall into sin in the new heavens on the new earth!

Jesus came into this world to bring hope, healing, and to set the captives free.  He is the Word, and His Word is life sustaining forever and ever. 

When I learned about the inner lies, the root of bitterness that I believed, I had to talk about my story. I needed to share what happened to me so the Holy Spirit could sever those lies and replace them with the truth: I am loved! I am grounded in love! I have the strength and courage to be the man God created me to be! I am grounded in the love of Christ Jesus!

The Advent message that we bring is the answer and hope for these people. The light is coming, the Christ Child, the Son of the living God. Clothed in our sinful, broken humanity and walking into the darkness of our lives, He will ascend Golgotha hill, and He will stand in the holy place.

Almost immediately, the tears of sadness were replaced with tears of happiness.  People started realizing that this time of year was about each and every one of them as individuals, that God loves them, and that He is with them.  As people refocused on Jesus and took their eyes off of all the things that man has created for this time of year, they finally began to see why we celebrate the birth of God’s Son, Jesus. 

I am a chief sinner who does not deserve anything but wrath and death.  But in His mercy, God gave me life through Jesus and life through this gift of a child.  I am grateful! 

As we look to the birth of a baby, a baby named Immanuel, let’s give Him thanks and praise. 

When Jesus left the heart of the Father and became human, I wonder if it helped to know that, through His Son, some would be saved. Jesus was born to start the journey that would remove our stony hearts and give us eternal life.  Our life is now intertwined with His because He has, in His grace through faith, given us a new heart.

During this time of year, we recall the greatest story of all and the greatest life ever lived.  It is Jesus, our Savior, who came into our sin-darkened world to give us eternal life and forgiveness.  It is through Him and in Him that our story has meaning.  Let us honor Him with our thanks and praise this season of Advent. Let us honor him with the stories we leave behind.

The more I reflect upon and study American Indians, the more I realize many people have false ideas about them.  In many cases, they have no ideas at all.  We have what we came for after all - their land.

Inexplicably, American Indians, like my friend's mother, survived.