“The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9).

The Jews were in a time of Advent some 2019 years ago, even though they would not have called it by that name. They knew the Scriptures, they knew what Isaiah had told them in Isaiah 9:6-7 indicating the coming of a king to “reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom…forever.” However, it was a dark time in the world; even the religious leaders of the day were more concerned about their status with the earthly Roman rulers than they about with their relationship with their own heavenly father. It was a time to lay low, to survive. It would seem that there was no hope. But then, in God’s perfect timing, the prophesies about the coming of a king came true:

“Jesus came to earth that we might go to heaven.  Jesus was born of a virgin that we might be born again.  When you celebrate this Christmas season, may it be with an increased love for a Father who sent His only begotten Son—and a Savior, the Second Person of the Trinity, who laid aside His royal robes and stepped onto earth to become “obedient unto death—even the death of the cross.” No wonder we say that is human history’s greatest event.” (Adrian Rogers)

I wish you the most joyful of days as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, Light of the World, our Merciful Savior, our Forever Friend, our Eternal King.

Joy to the World*, by Isaac Watts, is my favorite Christmas song. I hope you enjoy this rendition by Pentatonix.

Joy to the World; the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let ev’ry heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing.

Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields & floods, rocks, hills & plains
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love.

*based on  Psalm 96:11–12; Genesis 3:17–18; Psalm 98,

In Christ,

Judy