The new work God has done in us , through His living and abiding word, enables us to love one another in a new way, free of the world's fears, failures, and foolish pursuits.

The Holy Spirit is the only one who can open our eyes to the things of God, in order that we not only know, but that we may live with the mind of Christ.

The gift of the Holy Spirit is not only the means by which God dwells in us, but the assurance that we belong to God as His very own possession through Christ.

Jesus taught His disciples that the Holy Spirit was coming in order to bear witness about Christ, His words, His work, and His will. As followers of Jesus, the Spirit desires to do that His work through us: bearing witness to God's Son.

God, through Peter, calls us to set our hope fully on the future and final fullness of grace that will come with the return of Jesus Christ. This hope is the foundation for all our hopes and a driving force in living a life set apart.

Peter begins his letter by directing his readers to God's salvation and the way it should affect their perspective on the past, present, and future.

Peter sets the course for his letter by addressing his readers as

The

The consequence of Christmas is the gift of belonging that Jesus gives to all who come in faith, making them children of God.

In asking why God chose Joseph and Mary to be the earthly parents of His Son, we are asking what God is looking for in any parent who wants to reveal Jesus Christ to the world.