Christmas Greeting 2024

2024 has proven to be a most unique year, at least in the 64 years that Rosalie and I have been blessed to share.  Like most years, and for most of you, there has been a mix of blessings and challenges and we celebrate the fact that God continues to pour out His blessings so that we can meet and beat these challenges.  And Christmas 2024 is our opportunity to give thanks for both the challenges and the blessings.  As Paul proclaimed to the churches - “Always be joyful. Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”              And we are joyful because of Christmas.  First, it provides us the opportunity to celebrate, remembering and rejoicing in the coming of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, the only begotten Son of God, born of a Virgin, born fully man and yet fully God, Jesus, the Light of the World!         Christmas also is opportunity to look forward to, and get ready for, His second coming in which He will claim His throne and establish His Kingdom! So as we face the reality of what is happening in our world today, as we face the reality of what is going to be happening in 2025 and beyond, let’s pray together, with faith.

               We can rejoice in circumstances because they provide the opportunity to take to heart, and to life, that challenges are really opportunities to receive God’s grace, grace that is sufficient for us at all times and in all circumstances.

               “Help us, Lord, to see with Your perspective, what is happening in the world today. You have created this world and You rule this world.  Help us to view with faith what is happening, praying for – and fully expecting – Your will to be accomplished, that You will bring Your good out of this evil and that You will bring order out of all this chaos.”

               “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless Your holy name.  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not ALL Your benefits.  You have forgiven ALL my sins.  You have healed all my diseases.  You have redeemed my life from destruction, and You have crowned me with Your loving kindness and Your tender mercies.  You have satisfied my life with good things so that my youth is renewed like the eagle!”

               Merry Christmas to all and to all a New Year filled with blessings of peace (Shalom), good health and wellness, and prosperity!  And for the New Year, I urge you to pray faithfully for our nation.