Our God seeks after those who are far from Him. He wants all to be in His presence, to repent of their sins and to trust in Jesus for their forgiveness. No exclusions. Even and especially those we don't think belong.

Simeon was told by God that he would not die until he had seen the promised Savior. God kept His promise of sending that Savior and He kept His promise to Simeon. It is because of God's faithfulness that Simeon departed from the presence of Jesus in peace. We, too, are dismissed in peace. How? Listen and be filled with the peace that Jesus has come to bring.

This Christmas message is comprised of three poetic meditations that were recorded at our 11pm service on Christmas Eve. They play back-to-back. Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

God knows you fully and loves you fully. We know this because the love of God was made manifest in the cross of Jesus. He took all of your sin to that cross. Nothing is hidden from Him. He knows it all and still loves you completely. He will never leave you or divorce you. You are His for all eternity.

For many, the Christmas season is not, as the holiday classic says, "the most wonderful time of the year." Rather than something to be celebrated, the holidays become something to be survived. We are people that are familiar with darkness, and Jesus comes to be the hope of light that shines in that darkness.

The Declaration of Independence declares that we have the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Oh, how we pursue that right. What is it that will make you happy? Today, we learn through the Apostle Paul that joy isn't something that's pursued; it's given. It doesn't change. It doesn't depend upon circumstances. Joy is a gift given by Jesus because He is the source of all joy. Jesus gives joy in places where joy shouldn't be found.

Jesus, our Prince of Peace, has reconciled us to God by His death on the cross. That's how far our relationship with God was severed, but that's how far God was willing to bring you back.

We will be marking each of the four candles of the Advent wreath with a word: hope, peace, joy, and love. Today's word is "hope." Our hope is not floating around in a sea of uncertainty; our hope is anchored in a person. When God makes a promise, He keeps it. God has already proven His love for you through the death of His Son, Jesus.

This week's message comes to us from Vicar Nick Schram of the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Garden City. We have reached the end of another church year, and the beginning of another Advent season. As Advent soon begins, we take the time to slow down, anticipate and prepare for the coming of Christ our King.

The early church father, John Chrysostom, 4th Century Archbishop of Constantinople wrote, "Here is a medicine to relieve grief and every bad circumstance and every pain. What is it? To pray and give thanks in everything. [God] does not wish that a prayer be merely a petition but a thanksgiving for what we have received…How can one make petitions for the future without a thankful acknowledgement of past things?…So one ought to give thanks in everything, even what seems grievous…Grief comes out of the circumstances with their demands. Thanksgiving comes from a soul that has true insight and a strong affection for God.”