Today's message is primarily the reading of a Christmas story - Jean Gietzen's, "If You're Missing Baby Jesus."  Published in the book "A Family Christmas," edited by James Dobson

Rediscover how much God has lavished on you, that you might be called a child of God!

Rediscover how much God loves you.

Let his love define you and propel you to love others!

Despite the trials of life we can have the joy of salvation!  Unto us our Savior has been born!

Rediscovering that joy of salvation!

God has made peace with us through Jesus; therefore, we are called to make peace with others, particularly with fellow believers!

We can have that "peace which passes all understanding" because "unto (us) has been born in the City of David, a Savior who is Christ the Lord."

Peace is a person, "Emmanuel" - "God with us!"

Hope is ours in Christ Jesus!

Simeon and Anna never gave up hope despite their circumstances.  Hope sees beyond our circumstances.  We have hope because God is with us.  We have hope because God does not change..

Hope is a person.  Emmanuel.  God with us!

Thanksgiving is an attitude we should have every day.

Give thanks to God in all circumstances!