What are you looking for from Jesus? Peace, healing, forgiveness, etc. Whatever it is, it is personal and powerful.

God's message to us, we are loved, forgiven, and He is for us. God is still showing up. Where do you see God? Where do hear God? He is there in our every day activities, we need to be aware!

Mary & Joseph endured great difficulties. They had to travel light, leaving much behind. Throughout it all they remained faithful to God. Look back over your past year and see what you need to let go to travel light in 2017. Difficulties, death, disappointments.

A story from the perspective of the Inn Keeper on Christmas Morning...

Joseph could have divorced Mary when he found out she was pregnant but he married her because of the dream he had about Jesus being the Son of God.

Patience is the ability to except delay. Wait like a farmer, strengthen your heart, be kind and wait for things to happen. Wait and watch for God.

The Spirit of the Lord had energy, rests on Jesus and on us.

In scripture, darkness is never a good thing. The light is not us, but it is in us through the light of Jesus. The light of Christ awakens us, protects us, and illuminates us. Paul lists 6 things in the Romans reading that we should not do, and he encourages us to live in the light with Jesus.

Jesus has the power and authority over us, but chooses to forgive us and relieve us of our sins. Forgiveness is counter-cultural, but it gives our spirits peace. Forgiveness brings us healing, witness, and hope.

With the nearness of Christ's return, we should not cease to work, but instead to continue to do so quietly. We should continue to do the right thing, even though we may be wary.