Advent is defined by a season of four Sunday’s prior to Christmas where many Christians will participate in a special time of prayer and fasting with anticipation of the celebration of Christ’s birth. The Messiah has come! As Christians, we look back to God’s faithfulness while also looking forward to a second advent when Jesus will return not only as Savior but as Reigning King. Our Advent Season will culminate at our Christmas Eve services where we will light the Christ candle and share in the Light that has come into the world.

 
December is the last month of our year and we will be experiencing the days of 2026 very soon, should the LORD tarry. I hope you will take advantage of the many opportunities to prepare your hearts for the celebration of Christ’s birth. I pray we will stand in the truths of God’s amazing gift of love. God did not send to us more religiosity at Christmas. God sends to us the potential of relationship instead. It is possible to get so caught up in the trimmings of Christmas that we forget to truly make the most of God’s gift.

 
The songs of Christmas are like no other season of the year. We sing and listen to joyful music. We can see the drama of Christmas taking place through the songs we sing. It’s the most wonderful time of the year. O, come let us adore Him, Christ the LORD. What a blessing to be the recipients of such a great love from God. But more than adoration, may we come to reception. The Scriptures tell us that the Word, Jesus, “He came unto His own but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” What a joy to be counted among the children of God.

 
Be sure to mark your calendars for Night in Bethlehem, December 5th & 6th, Prime Time Singers and Ringers “Merry Christmas to You,” and “Christ Has Come” by Trinity’s Christmas Choir and Community Orchestra. We hope to see you often.

 
Our Midweek Bible Study will cover our Christmas season with a special time of Christmas caroling on Wednesday, December 17. We will also be taking up our Christmas offering for International missions this month. We will have guest missionary preachers, Austin Roden and John Hinds, on December 7th and 14th receptively. Also, be sure to mark your calendars for our Christmas Eve Candle Lighting Services at 5:00pm and 6:30pm.
I hope you find joy this Christmas as you gather around family, friends and especially our Savior for whom we celebrate.

 
Merry Christmas.