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In Deacon Locklear’s message today, we see another promise God made to not only all of creation, but to one man in particular. We know of Jesus’ birth, his death, and quite a bit from in between. God orchestrated this part of Jesus’ everyday life to tell the story of a man named Simeon, and to bolster in Joseph and Mary, had they any doubt, the truth the angel had told Mary. Luke 2:22–35; John 16:16; John 10:27

This message was given just a few days before Christmas. The entire service was a mashup of gifts. One group organized a gift of the children telling us about the meaning of the Christmas Advent candles. We were gifted a with a choir of children singing a carol. Those same children gifted the congregation cookies they got together and baked themselves the day before. After service, the children and pastor were presented with gifts from the congregation. A quality common among these gifts is that they were given with nothing expected in return. Our message and events of the season focus on the gift mankind was given by God through His son, Jesus the Christ. That gift of love is a demonstration of how we should give to each other. Out of love, because we can, and with no expectation of return or praise. Love the Lord your God and love each other as you would love yourself. Merry Christmas. Luke 1:26–38; Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:1–13; 1 John 1:14, 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:17

Having our church’s Christmas party on this day after hearing a message like this was perfect timing. The ugly sweater contest, the games for the kids, the whole fellowship gave us joy. The strength comes from knowing that we all love each other, God loves us, and no great calamity lasts forever. We know there are more calamities waiting for us at home, at work, or sometime in the future. But we can reflect on those joyous times and remember that you and I have been brought through it, and we will be brought through it again. And our faith in God’s Word of how it all ends means no event or age on this earth is bigger than Him, nor bigger than we who abide in Him. Nehemiah 8:1–3, 5–6, 8–10; Amos 8:11; Isaiah 53; Acts 2:42–47

Have you ever realized that you had forgotten how awesome God is? We move about our days sure of where we will be when we leave this earth, not worried about our next meal because we believe God will provide. But we forget how underserving we, the unrighteous, are to receive anything from the One who is righteousness. Yet He blesses us anyway. Yes, we should not dwell on our sin because we are forgiven, but forgiven does not equal righteous. As Christmas nears, we should be overwhelmed with awe and gratitude that God has every right to keep Himself from us. Yet He wrapped himself in our sinful flesh and took it to the grave, while hiding us under His righteousness so that God can be near us. There is far more than I can put into a synopsis about preparing our hearts for the Savior’s birth, but I consider this a major part of it. Matthew 3:1–11; Luke 1:80; Matthew 6:25–34; 2 Corinthains 5:17, 7:10; Romans 3:23; Daniel 9:4–5; 1 John 1:7–10; John 15:1–8; Isaiah 11:1–9; 2 Timothy 1:6–10

In this message, Deacon Locklear breaks down the hope that brings one to Christianity. What it is, where it comes from, and how we live as people who are sure of that hope. Kind of like the Matrix, this hope cannot be simply explained, and no one can be talked into it. A relationship with Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit is required to make sense of it all. If you are not already a believer, at least you can grasp some idea of why your Christian friends behave the way they do. Romans 5:2–5; 1 Peter 1:3; Jeremiah 29:8–14

Near the end of November, we will spend some time giving thanks. Leading up to this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s compile a list of all the things we are thankful for. So far, we've remembered His faithfulness, His blessings, and His sacrifice. Today, we remember His promise. Particularly, in this message, His promise of justice when we tell him of our misfortune. Thank You, Lord, for being the highest Judge. Willing and able to bring justice to those who put their faith in You. Luke 18:1–8; Luke 17:1–2; Hebrews 4:16; Psalms 24:1: Psalms 66:9

Near the end of November, we will spend some time giving thanks. Leading up to this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s compile a list of all the things we are thankful for. So far, we've remembered His faithfulness and His blessings. Today, we remember His sacrifice. The sacrifice of watching His only child die for sins He did not do. The sacrifice of dying in one of the most horrible ways of the time, to make sure that others could have a close relationship with Him. Thank You, Lord, for paying off a debt we could never do enough to repay on our own. 1 Corinthians 11:27–34; 1 John 1:9; Psalm 139; Proverbs 28:13; James 5:16

Near the end of November, we will spend some giving thanks. Leading up to this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s compile a list of all the things we are thankful for. Last week, we remembered His faithfulness. Today, we remember His blessings; the gifts He bestowed on the world and the special gifts He gives to His children. We are all blessed by God. Let us all be grateful. Psalm 103:1–5; Matthew 4:4; Colossians 3:12–14; Psalms 103:12; Isaiah 53:5; Psalms 42:1; Isaiah 40:27–31

Near the end of November, we will spend some giving thanks. Leading up to this Thanksgiving holiday, let’s compile a list of all the things we are thankful for. Today we start with the faithfulness of God. He has never changed. He is always with us. And He continues to guide us to good things despite all the times we’ve ignored His direction. Thank You, Lord, for never giving up on us. Deuteronomy 8:1–10; Exodus 13:17–18; Matthew 4:3