Let us joyfully enter into this third week of Advent with the song "O Come All Ye Faithful". I would like to encourage everyone to find some silent moments this week to adore baby Jesus. Let your hearts be filled with joy as you gaze upon the face of God. Please do not fall into the trap of being too busy for Christ this Christmas. The only real thing we need to prepare for Christmas is our hearts and mind to receive the Light of the World. The presents, the food, the decorating, the parties are things we do after we honor Jesus-they should never come before or in place of Him.
I sometimes wonder why more people in Bethlehem did not recognize that the Messiah had been born in their midst. Wise Men from distant countries recognized the signs and followed the star. Shepherds in the field heard an angel of the Lord announce the birth of the Messiah "and then suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying: Glory to God in highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." Now with all these great signs in the sky, how is it that no one in Bethlehem noticed? Perhaps they were just too busy. They had to get the town ready, their homes ready, the food ready for all people coming in for the census. Had they spent quiet moments praying with God and raised their eyes and hearts up towards heaven, they too, would have discovered Jesus in their midst.
Please join me in song this week as we walk closer to Christ. (Lyrics attributed to John F. Wade).
"O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
O come let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord."
