It is one thing to hear the word, it is more to act on the word!

Our faith is a body of understanding by which we think and live. We remember the Ten Commandments as an important guide for living. It all boils down to living God and loving one another. Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. studied intently the Book of James and how the Message rang true for everyone. We are taught to love and we are taught to reject partiality through the Book of James. Favoritism can bring disastrous consequences. It's not a small sin. Jesus says 'love thy neighbor', which is the basis for most of the Law.

Our problems can be based on indecision. Divided priorities can lead us to make wrong decisions, or even NO decisions. Divided priorities can lead us to go against God's will and let in instability. The answer is to ask God for wisdom, for it will be given.

God's will is that He wants all of us to grow in maturity and faith. Maturity is our character, which is what we are 'in the dark'. God has been faithful to us, so we can be faithful and trusting in Him.

One's house can take on so many different aromas during Christmas season. Even a fresh cut tree is nature's air freshener. Our sense of smell is a powerful trigger for past memories. Good and bad emotions can be brought up in the odors and aromas we encounter. Does your life reflect the scent of the Salvation of Jesus? We must live as he lived; we must love as he loved. Can we invoke this scent in others?

On the night of our Savior's birth, all Heaven broke loose to deliver the good news. The audience for such good news was ready for that news. Are you open to hearing the news that can only be heard through rapt listening? The good news can be heard every day in our world. Ministry involves everyone in need, aching for the Gospel of the Christ.

The shepherds were the first to hear of the news of Jesus' birth. Why shepherds of all people? Why not kings or dignitaries, or reporters? God was born in a place where people could come in and see Him with their own eyes. God knows who we are and loves us for who we are. He came as a helpless little baby as His gift to the world.

Today we name our children according to family traditions. Jesus was named Immanuel according to the angels report, telling us Jesus was 'God with us'. In Jesus, God was with us in the flesh. God decided to come to us, since we couldn't live with him in Heaven. God decided to be with us and touch us. Touch is an important way to communicate. We are soothed and comforted through the right touch. The ability to reach out and touch others is a vital part of our ministry, as it was Jesus' ministry.

Shall we celebrate the birth of the One who ate with sinners? He who dined with his friends on the night of his arrest? The miracle of Christmas is a reminder of more than just busyness and planning, shopping, cooking, decorating and wrapping. We celebrate God's goodness when we feast together.