Christmas is a time to remember the greatness of Christ. Jesus is better than anything you are going to receive this coming Christmas.

Through Jesus God gives us forgiveness. Why not ask for God’s forgiveness for Christmas this year?

In this series for Advent, we will explore the first chapter of the Gospel of John. What did it mean for God to take on human flesh and walk among us? As we grow in understanding, our hearts will become more prepared for the Christmas holiday and for an encounter, once again, with the living God.

This week's sermon is focused both on looking at the end of the year that’s closing and ahead to the year to come.  Jesus’s commitment to the will of his Father and the well-being of his “family” and his confidence in God’s presence are significant when it comes to setting the pace for our lives. All our plans must come back to the essential message of obedience to God lived out through love of others. Jesus’s example of being a servant to his Father was worked out through serving others, and that is critical to our lives too.

Even though the Preacher describes a meaningless world that can challenge one to doubt, he fully affirms the God who gives meaning to life. We will believe in the God who gives life meaning.

The Preacher tries to find meaning and satisfaction through pleasure, wealth, work, and gaining knowledge. But he finds these paths meaningless. We will not seek ultimate meaning in money, work, knowledge, or pleasure.

The Preacher shows the problem with using wisdom as a formula for the perfect life. Life is random, complex, and often unjust. We will trust in God and not in our formulas to control a life that is beyond our control.

Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are his sheep. Find a few moments each day this week for quiet prayer and Bible reading, in order to create space for the Good Shepherd to work in you. Bring that quiet connection to Jesus into the spaces of your daily life.

This series explores the book of Ecclesiastes. By understanding the context and theology of the book’s main character (Qoheleth), we can understand the limitations of life. In acknowledging the author’s honest conclusions and the contemporary parallels, we will understand that God gives ultimate meaning in life and Christians can enjoy this life that God has given them.

The Preacher declares life to be meaningless and that there is nothing new that can give ultimate meaning. He questions life’s purpose. We will not succumb to trends and fads to give our life meaning.

Psalm 22 shows us the suffering and glory of Jesus as the Messiah. Take time to mediate on Psalm 22 this week, and journal about the atonement and what it means for your life.