Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Hello Friends,
     Greetings to you all again!!!   In regards to the day I got to spend in Chicago a few weekends ago, it was a great time, and I very much enjoyed hanging out with Katelyn, Jonathan, and Kayley.  I'm really glad that I didn't have to walk through Chicago by myself that night, so I'm extremely thankful for my friends being there for me.  I can't wait to see all of my camp friends around New Years!!!!                                               So I pray that everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday and an equally good time of of school and work.   I write today in the spirit of preparing for the season of Christmas, the season of Advent.  Advent is a time when we look to remember just what God gave to us on that Christmas night!  In the society we live in today, it becomes so easy to forget that Jesus is the true reason for the our celebration of Christmas.  We tend to get so caught up in the gift purchasing, holiday decorating, Christmas card writing, and visiting relatives and friends, that we forget what's most important. As we draw closer to the celebration of the birth of our Savior, I implore us all to reflect upon what God has given us during this season of Advent.  Today at my home church, our pastor talked about how our the hope that God gave us through Jesus Christ is a revolutionary hope that only He can grant to us.  There are many things in this world that we can place our hope in, but the bottom line is that all the things that this world has to offer will eventually let us down, be it a family member, a friend, money, possessions, or the way we live our lives.  There is only one thing that will never let us down, and that is the hope that we are given through the death of our Savior Jesus Christ.  We are called to place all of our hope in Him, and in Him, we will not be let down, as the end result of our hope will be everlasting life with Him.  In Christ,
Amen

Hebrews 6:13-15, 19-20
     When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, saying, " I will surely bless you and give you many descendants."  And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised...  We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.  It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.  He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.