December, in The Year of Our Lord, 2012, some two thousand and eighteen Advent’s have passed since the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the Messiah.  Advent is the beginning of the Christian Year, and the origin of the word, “advent,” comes from the Latin word, “adventus,” which means “coming” or “arrival.”  Advent begins in late November and is the four Sundays preceding Christmas Day.  It is a holy time of the year when Christians remember, and with a penitent heart, the great love of God when He sent His Son, His only begotten Son, who became incarnate by the power of the Holy Spirit, and was born of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, fully God, fully Man.  

  Let us humbly and prayerfully turn back to a new beginning and forgiveness of our sins, and a healing of mind, body, soul, and spirit as we worship the Christ-Child that came into the world that cold, December night in Bethlehem of Judea.

   December is that special month of the year when everyone is busy getting ready for Christmas (Christ-Mas).   But the biggest part of “Christmas” ought to be “getting ready” for the remembrance, the holy celebration of Jesus Christ, God in the form of a man on earth! Amid the dark and cold days looming ahead, amid the heart-wrentching tragedies of this time in our history, let us humble receive the only One who can heal our hearts, the only One who can truly give us the “peace” that passes all human understanding, the Light and Life of the world!

   Let us with grateful hearts recount once more the true Christmas story of long ago.  It is recorded in the Holy Bible, in THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO LUKE, beginning at chapter two:

AND it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And this taxing was first made Cyrenius was governor od Syria.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.   

   May the blessings of God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit cause a turning to Him in love with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.  May His grace heal your heart and draw you ever closer to Him.  Amen.