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This is the story of Jesus told through the eyes and hearts of our little ones. The children explain how Jesus was born for me and for you. From the angels, to Mary and Joseph and to the shepherds, God sent His Son to the world as the wise men found when they followed the bright star. We sing and rejoice!

Are you feeling the joy? At this point in the month of December, studies show that many people are not feeling joy. Many people are feeling overwhelmed as they approach Christmas, feeling stressors that include not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict. No matter how we come to our time of worship today, even if stressed, distracted, and frazzled, what great timing to hear what God speaks to us in this season and each day. From all our Readings today, we hear of joy! It is a joy not based on our own momentary perspectives of how things should go, but rather a joy from God’s eternal perspective for our sake and what has freely been done for us. As our Advent season continues, may our true joy be found in the one for whom we prepare—Christ, who was born for us and who is with us and for us and is today in our midst as He comes to us in the means of grace.

Are you feeling the joy? At this point in the month of December, studies show that many people are not feeling joy. Many people are feeling overwhelmed as they approach Christmas, feeling stressors that include not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict. No matter how we come to our time of worship today, even if stressed, distracted, and frazzled, what great timing to hear what God speaks to us in this season and each day. From all our Readings today, we hear of joy! It is a joy not based on our own momentary perspectives of how things should go, but rather a joy from God’s eternal perspective for our sake and what has freely been done for us. As our Advent season continues, may our true joy be found in the one for whom we prepare—Christ, who was born for us and who is with us and for us and is today in our midst as He comes to us in the means of grace.

Are you feeling the joy? At this point in the month of December, studies show that many people are not feeling joy. Many people are feeling overwhelmed as they approach Christmas, feeling stressors that include not having enough money, missing loved ones, and anticipating family conflict. No matter how we come to our time of worship today, even if stressed, distracted, and frazzled, what great timing to hear what God speaks to us in this season and each day. From all our Readings today, we hear of joy! It is a joy not based on our own momentary perspectives of how things should go, but rather a joy from God’s eternal perspective for our sake and what has freely been done for us. As our Advent season continues, may our true joy be found in the one for whom we prepare—Christ, who was born for us and who is with us and for us and is today in our midst as He comes to us in the means of grace.

The infamous census of the ages has made Bethlehem a busy and crowded spot, and there are some guests at a local inn who aren’t very happy. F. W. Woolworth, Rock Starling – among others – have made it clear they want no part of the “lower class” staying at the inn. By the end of this musical, everyone learns that Jesus came for everyone, and that because of Him, we’re all definitely “inn” God’s Kingdom.

The heartfelt narrations and happy Christmas songs in today’s Christmas Musical reveal the Biblical Truth that proclaims the message of Hope and Promise found in our Savior’s birth. The reverence of our musical offering gives our highest praise to the King of Kings. You will be reminded that peace on earth starts with each of us, and it leads us to ask, “Why can’t it be Christmas all year long?” May you find joy in your heart all year long!

In this month of December, we find ourselves getting ready and preparing for many things, such as gatherings with family and friends, gifts to get and give to others, traditional treats to be made, and decorations for the season. The foremost preparation, of course, is for our Savior’s birth. Today we are reminded of another time of preparation that would be after Jesus’ birth and prior to His earthly ministry— that of John the Baptist, who would prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our busy times of preparing to celebrate this season, today we draw our focus on and give thanks for the one who would raise valleys, level mountains, and make straight the paths for Him.

In this month of December, we find ourselves getting ready and preparing for many things, such as gatherings with family and friends, gifts to get and give to others, traditional treats to be made, and decorations for the season. The foremost preparation, of course, is for our Savior’s birth. Today we are reminded of another time of preparation that would be after Jesus’ birth and prior to His earthly ministry— that of John the Baptist, who would prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our busy times of preparing to celebrate this season, today we draw our focus on and give thanks for the one who would raise valleys, level mountains, and make straight the paths for Him.

In this month of December, we find ourselves getting ready and preparing for many things, such as gatherings with family and friends, gifts to get and give to others, traditional treats to be made, and decorations for the season. The foremost preparation, of course, is for our Savior’s birth. Today we are reminded of another time of preparation that would be after Jesus’ birth and prior to His earthly ministry— that of John the Baptist, who would prepare for the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. In our busy times of preparing to celebrate this season, today we draw our focus on and give thanks for the one who would raise valleys, level mountains, and make straight the paths for Him.

Have you ever wondered what it might sound like if you could hear the angels tell the story of their encounter with the shepherds on that first Christmas night? Or how the shepherds might tell it from their perspective? Even better, can you imagine hearing the angels and shepherds telling the story together? Even though it’s not possible to know for sure, in Uncertain Poor Shepherds, we can have some fun imagining what that conversation might sound like….

Though a full month remains before we turn our calendars to 2025, today we can wish a “happy new year” in the life of the church. The Advent season begins a new church year and is a time of preparation, as the Latin “Adventus” means an arrival or coming of someone. More than preparing for the coming of just anyone, here we prepare for our Savior. As we get hearts and minds ready for the Christmas crescendo to come celebrating Christ’s humble birth, we also remain prepared in this season and always as He promises to come again.

Though a full month remains before we turn our calendars to 2025, today we can wish a “happy new year” in the life of the church. The Advent season begins a new church year and is a time of preparation, as the Latin “Adventus” means an arrival or coming of someone. More than preparing for the coming of just anyone, here we prepare for our Savior. As we get hearts and minds ready for the Christmas crescendo to come celebrating Christ’s humble birth, we also remain prepared in this season and always as He promises to come again.

Though a full month remains before we turn our calendars to 2025, today we can wish a “happy new year” in the life of the church. The Advent season begins a new church year and is a time of preparation, as the Latin “Adventus” means an arrival or coming of someone. More than preparing for the coming of just anyone, here we prepare for our Savior. As we get hearts and minds ready for the Christmas crescendo to come celebrating Christ’s humble birth, we also remain prepared in this season and always as He promises to come again.

At the corner of Hayden Hill and Walkley Hill roads in Haddam, Connecticut, stands the colonial home of one of the early resident families of that little town on the Connecticut River: the Thankful Arnold House. Now the location for the town’s Historical Society, it is the home where Thankful Clark Arnold and her husband, Joseph, raised their twelve children, beginning in 1798. The house stayed in the family for over 150 years until a family member gifted it to the local community. At one time, “Thankful” was a proper and common name for girls and women. It served as a testimony to the goodness of God throughout that individual’s life. In his “Song of Thanks” recorded in First Chronicles, King David exclaimed “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” (16:8). No matter what personal name we may carry throughout our lives, we can individually express our great thankfulness to God for all the blessings that we receive day by day and season after season.

At the corner of Hayden Hill and Walkley Hill roads in Haddam, Connecticut, stands the colonial home of one of the early resident families of that little town on the Connecticut River: the Thankful Arnold House. Now the location for the town’s Historical Society, it is the home where Thankful Clark Arnold and her husband, Joseph, raised their twelve children, beginning in 1798. The house stayed in the family for over 150 years until a family member gifted it to the local community. At one time, “Thankful” was a proper and common name for girls and women. It served as a testimony to the goodness of God throughout that individual’s life. In his “Song of Thanks” recorded in First Chronicles, King David exclaimed “Oh give thanks to the LORD; call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples!” (16:8). No matter what personal name we may carry throughout our lives, we can individually express our great thankfulness to God for all the blessings that we receive day by day and season after season.