When Queen Elizabeth II first visited New York City, in 1957, the glamorous young monarch was welcomed with a ticker-tape parade befitting war heroes. She visited New York again on July 7, 2010 at age 84, but this time the fanfare was low key when she visited Ground Zero

For us as Christian, our Christmas celebration celebrates not the arrival of an earthly monarch but the arrival of God in all His majesty. But unlike a visiting monarch, Zechariah tells us something special, something extraordinary unexpected. God said “Shout and be glad, O Daughter of Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you declares the LORD.”

Can you fathom what has transpired? Today we celebrate the birth of Christ. Today, the unexpected has come, God living among us, God dwelling not only in our midst but in our hearts. Though the reign of Queen Elizabeth II has spanned decades, it will eventually end. Though the monarch praised the United Nations for their efforts in a changing world, it’s the prophetic word of Zechariah that brings us lasting hope. The Scriptures promise “Many nations will be joined with the LORD in that day and will become my people.”

As we consider the Bethlehem story, there was no room in the Inn. If the birth of Jesus would have taken place in the Inn, it would have been a temporary residence. God is looking for a permanent residence; He wants to live with you. He wants to make you a Holy dwelling.

“We are sealed by the Holy Spirit of God, by our receiving His real stamp upon our souls; being made the partakers of the divine nature. This is, indeed, the design of His dwelling in us, to heal our disordered souls, and to restore that image of His upon our nature.” – John Wesley                                                                                                                                                                                                        (DR ERNEST PEETS  JR)

With Christmas a week away, many are anticipating Santa coming. Around the world the magic of Christmas is unfolding. Christmas Trees, holiday gifts and decorations; truly Christmas is a special time.

Are you anticipating guests and the fellowship of friends during this holiday? Many of us are, but did not John the Baptist prophesy someone greater is coming? Many thought John the Baptist was someone he was not (the Messiah); likewise many think Santa Claus is someone he is not (the reason for Christmas). When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today. When Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who would have ever thought that the light in our hearts would replaced by the lights on our houses.

It is a long time since the first Christmas in A.D. 353 or the first American Christmas Tree in 1832. How long has it been since the greatness of it took center stage during your Christmas festivities? As we approach December 25 again, we have another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all our celebration and excitement and the unfortunate commercialization which surround Christmas today, we need to consider that someone greater – Jesus Christ – is the reason for the season. Make Christ the center of your Christmas.

The very purpose of Christ’s coming into the world was that He might offer up His life as a sacrifice for the sins of men. He came to die. This is the heart of Christmas. – Rev. Billy Graham        (DR ERNEST PEETS JR)

Advent and Christmas carry great joy with them. Nobody would doubt this. Our God became one of us and lived with us. In all the joy and excitement of this tiny Infant we look for and rejoice over, it is easy to forget the shadow that looms. One day, this tiny Baby will be betrayed into the powers of darkness. He will die a shameful death on a cross.

But in that looming shadow is the promise of life. Jesus was not surprised that Judas betrayed Him or that the men of the high priest came to arrest Him. Jesus went willingly to death, and in His sacrifice of Himself we were given a new life. It was because of that shameful death that we even celebrate His birth.

It seems strange to think of Jesus’ death as we celebrate His birth, but the two are never separated, because He was born for the purpose of sacrificing Himself on the cross. The Good News of Jesus’ life and death is the gift of life He gave to each and every one of us.

Dear Lord, when we think of Your life we think of Your death. Our hearts break when we think of the pain You experienced simply because You love us so deeply. But we rejoice as well because You rose from the dead and brought life to us all. Let us remember this Advent that You have given us the greatest gift anyone could ever hope to receive. (Pastor Kristen Jones)

John the Baptist had a very important message to bring to the people: “The King is coming!”

In those days, if the king was coming to your town, you’d go over your town with a fine-tooth comb. You’d fill in the potholes. You’d fix the bumps in the road. You’d put a fresh coat of paint on the city gates.

You’d make sure that everything was ready for the day of his arrival.

But John is calling the people to get ready for the arrival of an even more important king – Jesus. And the preparation wasn’t about roads and city gates. It was about preparing their hearts. John called them to repentance, that their sins might be forgiven.

It’s easy to get distracted by the preparations needed for all the parties, Christmas dinners, gift-giving, and even the Christmas events in church. That’s why it’s imperative that we also take time to make sure that our hearts are hospitable for the King of kings and Lord of lords.

Dear Lord, turn Your spotlight upon my heart today. Reveal the cracks in my life, the habits that are speed bumps to the Holy Spirit, and the addictions that are like potholes in my service to You. Help me prepare my heart to be a suitable throne room for You. Amen.

(PASTOR JON TWITCHELL)

Today is the First Sunday in the season of ADVENT.

ADVENT means “coming”. It is a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus at Christmas.

One of the great joys of the Advent season is that we’re not only celebrating the birth of our Lord. This season is more than just celebration for what happened in the past. As we remember and celebrate the birth of our Lord we look forward to a second Advent, when our Lord will once again come to us.

But what are we to do in the meantime? We are to be faithful and dwell in the light of salvation that comes through Jesus Christ. Living in the light means we are never without hope. We are never far from our Lord, who keeps us with Him at all times. We are to encourage each other to keep to a life lived in the light, because our Lord Jesus Christ is our past, present, and future. As we observe Advent let us remember that we celebrate a glorious past event which holds strong in the present and looks to the future with great excitement and hope

Dearest Lord Jesus, as we remember Your birth we look ahead to the day when You will come to us again. We wait with great anticipation, and as we wait we pray for the strength to be faithful and to hold onto You even when it seems easier to let You go. We love You. Amen.

(PASTOR KRISTIN JONES)

As we celebrate our 110^th Church Anniversary, what does God have to say about our priorities …

We hear a lot of talk these days about priorities, and such talk is warranted. After all, whether we realize it or not, every daily activity we engage in reflects our priorities like a mirror. Some companies even set up workshops on this issue and pay their employees to attend.

Well, if the prophet Haggai had led one such workshop, he would have had a lesson prepared about priorities. Listen to what he said to the people coming back from years in captivity in Babylon: “Don’t take care of your own house,” he warned. “Rebuild God’s house first.” Now, Haggai wasn’t just talking about physical structures here. His references didn’t only relate to bricks and mortar. He was telling the people to never put their personal desires, goals, aspirations, even their marriages and families ahead of God. What does your day planner look like?