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I believe that even though you and I are separated this Christmas from so many faces from the past… Yet we are together… we are Connected… especially at Christmas. And here's why: Because Jesus lives in our hearts and our homes!

As Christ-followers this Christmas season, it is critical that we not look for our peace in this world, for we will only find pain and suffering, but that we find our peace in Jesus Christ alone, for the promise from the angels is that He will bring “peace for whom His favor rests.”

Today completes our first week of advent focused on the ‘hope’ of Christmas. I’ve been acutely aware this week of how often I hear the word ‘hope’. Hope implies waiting, hope requires patience. Hope demands action - the action of looking forward with hope, holding on to hope, clinging to hope.

One person said that David’s heart was more out of tune than his harp, yet as he laments, God changed him. Though he started with a sigh, he ended with a song. Though he began in tears, he ended with trust. This is why the definition of biblical lament is a prayer in pain that leads to trust.

Where is your hope this December? The world is full of idols that are constantly vying for attention, hoping that they’ll be the basket we throw all of our metaphorical eggs into. Friend, it will all disappoint. In the eyes of eternity, any hopes of this world don't hold a candle to the hope of sweet baby Jesus.

This advent season, may we hold on to the hope of knowing that Jesus is the Messiah, that He was sent into the world to save the world, and will one day come back again to make all things new. What a glorious day that will be!

If there's a nagging sense of "lostness" that lives just below all the "stuff" of Christmas for you this year, I want to remind you of the Good News that the God of Heaven has seen your lostness, and He made the great Leap to come down into your neighborhood just to say to you, "You look lost, how can I help?"

Advent is a season that invites us to step away from what can be a frenzied time of parties and shopping to consider how we commemorate the birth of Jesus, one of the holiest times in the Christian faith.

Friends, it’s easy to look at the day-to-day frustrations of life and focus on what we don’t have, rather than all of the gifts we’ve been given. Will you join me in an attitude of gratitude? Not just this week, but every week.

Whether someone is in abundance or in need, Jesus knows how to love them and minister to them. In other words, He is big enough to embrace any and all circumstances. This truth caused me to be in awe of Him. It humbled me to worship Him. And it empowered me to share this secret with others.