January 2025
Advent’s season of anticipation is complete. The way was prepared, hearts were prepared, and God came to be among us. How did you experience God’s presence among us? Where did you encounter the love, peace and surprise of God’s holy light this Christmas?
        
Welcome January and the 12 days of Christmas which conclude on the day of Epiphany, January 6. Epiphany is when the church recognizes the message and witness of the wise men who witnessed his natal star and followed it to Bethlehem. Scripture tells us that as they greeted the holy child, God’s son in the flesh. They presented their gifts which were fit for a king and then they departed by a different way…so that king Herod would not find them, or the child. Their encounter was to witness God in human form and to treat him like royalty.

Along with the wise men, there were shepherds watching their flocks by night. They too saw a star but they heard the proclamation from angels that God was appearing in Bethlehem. They too were told to follow the star to find this miraculous divine presence in a newborn baby.

So, the shepherds left their flocks. They left the sheep in search of the one. They must find the one…so they left the 99 in the field and went searching.

In similar fashion, we too must leave our worldly place and get to the place where God is making an appearance, after all, this is the divine encounter the world has anticipated.
We must search for the one who came to save the lost.
We must open our hearts to the one who came to cleanse all hearts from the effects of sin.
We must recognize and worship the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Prince of Peace, Everlasting Covenant, Messiah, Light of the World…worship Him who came to save us all.

-What 99 things must you and I leave behind so that we can be in the presence of the God made      flesh who dwelt among us?
-What gets in the way of your weekly worship attendance?
-What prevents your voice from being heard when the congregation sings it’s weekly hymn of praise?

If not your voice and heartfelt praise, what will you give to him? Let us all look up to see the signs. Let us all follow the message of the angels. Let us be bold in our proclamation that God is here, still to lead and guide us all into a greater relationship of discipleship.
Oh Lord, open our eyes and our hearts to the calling you proclaim. May there be an “Epiphany!” in your walk of faith as we begin the year 2025 together. Welcome January-
The season of Ahah! I found the light! I have seen the Lord!

Peace, Pastor John