Happy New Year!!!

As you all know, for many, as soon as we are putting away the leftover from Thanksgiving, we have the t.v. on and we are already getting tired of being inundated with the commercialism of Christmas. For many who follow the Christian calendar year, we find ourselves wishing people "Happy New Year!

Advent is the beginning of the Christian calendar. Advent allows us the opportunity to stop and ask ourselves what we are preparing for. What is important for us to remember and possibly make different this year from any other year?

As it was written long ago, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

This verse should remind us that that God's loving presence did not originate in that manger but existed before time began. It should be the reason why this coming year will be different, better, more joyous as we continue to look at the full picture of God's grace that is His coming to us.

So Happy New Year! And as you prepare to bring the new year, may you come to know the love of God which is found in the manger, at the cross, in the empty tomb, and in your home.