Grace, Peace, Joy to you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. As I go around each day, I hear Christmas carols. I often hear the hymn “Joy to the world! The Lord is come.” I also hear the song “It’s the most wonderful time of the year.” These songs, religious and secular, remind us of the love of our heavenly Father. We are loved. You are loved! As you gather with family and friends, even if it appears that you are alone, remember that you are never alone. God is with you

The season of Advent, which comes comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit," begins four Sundays before Christmas and ends on Christmas Eve. Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians. During Advent, we prepare for and anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and celebrate the birth of Jesus in a h