Remember the passage in Matthew where Jesus tells his disciples John the Baptist was his messenger, preparing the people for his coming? (Matthew 11:10). No doubt you do. But have you ever thought John’s job is our job too? I heard a pastor say we Christians are, like John, preparing the way for the second and final return of Jesus Christ to the world. That drew me up short! I knew we were his witnesses, but I hadn’t thought of it as having John’s responsibility. Jesus is here with us even now, but he’s coming again, and not this time quietly among sheep and shepherds in Bethlehem. When he returns next time, it will be with power and glory and all will see him! People need to know! They need to be prepared! Let’s keep that in mind as we live out our lives daily, witnessing of him through his loving, forgiving, generous grace toward others.

“I thought I was your favorite,” my daughter said. She was responding to me saying I loved them all and had no special favorite. That was some years ago, when she was much younger. I tried to explain that each of my children is my favorite. That doesn’t mean I relate to each the same. Though they share family characteristics, they are unique individuals with different personalities. I enjoy and I love their differences as well as what they have in common. I believe that’s how God loves and relates to each of us. He loves that I am different from you, and you are different from me. We are each unique. It doesn’t matter our gender, race, color or what part of the world we live in, he loves each of us. (Truth be told, I’ve always thought I was his special favorite, but I bet he tells that to everyone!)

Does it frustrate you to read 1 Corinthians 13? It has that effect on me at times. The love Paul describes here is an over-the-top, impossible love. Even being known as a prophet, having the answers to all mysteries is not enough. Faith so strong you can shake up the Alps is not enough! He says giving away all your possessions is not enough. This is not just paying for someone behind you at Starbucks or Walmart, this is giving your absolute all, home, car, bank accounts, IRAs, clothes off your back, everything. And that’s not enough! How in the world can I be expected to love like that! The answer is, I can’t. God is love. I read God or Jesus (the same) in the place of the word love. He’s the only one who has all the attributes of love because he is love! His love is all that counts and thanks be to God, our Savior loves and lives in us!

Christmas lights are glowing around my neighborhood. Some homes have huge, magnificent displays accompanied by music synced to your car radio. Others, such as mine, are on a much smaller scale (think one large lighted wreath and a big basket of fake poinsettias on the front porch). But one display in particular I enjoy more than all the others. My neighbor across the way told me the lighted tree on her porch was put there for me to see. Now, how sweet is that! Every time I look at it I think of her thoughtfulness and also of how many ways God uses to share his love. And why not use light? After all, our Savior is the Light of the world!

I enjoy almost any genre of music if I’m watching and hearing it live, but the classical music station is my favorite on the radio. During this season they play beautiful Christmas music to honor Christ’s birth, composed by some of the greatest musicians ever. It’s glorious! But the other day, I wanted to hear some gospel music. As Elvis sang, “I Believe in the Man in the Sky,” it reminded me that’s how we often think of God. We think of him as up there somewhere. But, really he’s not just up there, he’s everywhere. God tells us he’s here with us all the time. How comforting it is to remember that promise. Sometimes you just need a little Elvis.

Usually my neighbors and I have a Christmas get together, but not this year. It doesn’t stop them from giving me gifts though. My neighbor Sue came over bearing homemade cookies, fudge, peanut brittle and a juicy pear. She even gave me the Christmas plate it was on along with a Christmas ornament. Another neighbor brought me a beautiful poinsettia. What did I do to deserve such good neighbors? I’m such a hermit, maybe God wants me to learn how to be a better neighbor. It’s working! I had a jar of apricot-orange jam ready to give her. (It was homemade but not by me.) My neighbors don’t see what they do as teaching moments for me. What we do for others may not seem like much to us, but God can share wonderful Christian values through our actions, along with showing his love.

In some households during this season, four candles become the centerpiece of dining tables. They are called Advent candles. At dinner time candles are lit as the family looks forward to Christmas. The candle on the first Sunday of December represents hope, the second Sunday peace, the third joy and the fourth love. Some add a fifth white candle, which is lit on Christmas day, signifying the Advent of Christ. While this hasn’t been my family’s tradition, I like it! I can imagine that each evening their children take turns lighting the candles as a daily reminder the birth of Jesus means so much more than Santa Claus and gifts. Along with hope and peace, tomorrow the joy candle will be lit. With or without candles, let’s rejoice, remembering this Advent of his birth and knowing a future Advent is coming!

Do you find it hard to admit your mistakes and weaknesses? As for me, some of them I can laugh about, but others, not so much. The older I get the easier it is, but it’s still not easy. After living a lot of years, with a lot of life’s experiences under my belt, both good and bad, I like to think I mostly make right decisions. So when I fail big, I don’t like to talk about it. At times I don’t have to because it’s all too apparent anyway. (Has everyone else figured out I’m not perfect except me?) But, guess what, God can use our mistakes and weaknesses to his glory.  Jesus is not called our redeemer for nothing. He can and does and will continue to forgive and redeem us. It’s a promise!

Many of you, if not most, are familiar with Zoom, that computer software platform that allows us to share church services, Bible studies, prayer groups and holidays together virtually. But, have you ever heard about a Zoom tea party? My great granddaughter’s 7th birthday will be celebrated by way of the Zoom app this year and it will be a tea party. I’ll be dragging out my fancy china tea pot and cups bought in London years ago. (I knew those would come in handy some time!) And, of course, all will be wearing hats, most of which belonged to my hat-lady mother. Along with celebrating a member of the newest generation in our family, we’ll be remembering her great-great-grandmother at the same time. It’s hats on apps this year! Happy Birthday, Ella!

As I go out to pick up my newspaper I see my neighbors’ two sons playing at football. I say “playing at” because it’s one on one. One boy kicks the ball high in the air. Then his brother grabs the ball and runs. The kicker chases after his brother, tackles him and down they go. Back and forth, taking turns being the kicker. They notice me and wave. Good kids! I’m sure they have their disagreements, as brothers often do, but overall they seem to get along well. Brothers who care about each other have each other’s backs. They may have their own fights, but the one who tries to harm his brother had better think twice. According to our Savior, all are our brothers and sisters, and even when we disagree, we are to love and care about them. Only through his grace!