To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. — Jude 1:25
To Him be glory and majesty.
Our friends drove by the old Wonderbread store downtown and took this photo for us.
They were in a line of traffic, waiting to get their COVID vaccine. It took 2.5 hours!
This is where Kirk's dad Gary used to work.
It's right around the corner from Petco Park.
As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.'" — Luke 3:4-5
John told his followers that Jesus would be coming.
John was sent to prepare the way.
He knew that Jesus was the Savior that He proclaimed.
We know that Jesus is our Savior, too.
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom. — Luke 2:41-42
Their tradition was to go to Jerusalem annually for the celebration.
When Jesus was twelve, they went up to Jerusalem, just as they had done for years.
Our family has traditions, too.
We worship together weekly.
And on Christmas Eve, we have potato soup.
Usually we go to the Christmas eve worship service together and have soup afterward.
Kirk's mom, Rita, started the tradition.
His Dad, Gary, continued it after she died.
And we continued it again this year with a smaller group of people, due to covid.
After the soup, we watched the service together on LiveStream.
A fitting way to bring in the Christmas season.
When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. — Luke 2:39-40
Then they returned home.
Jesus grew and became strong.
That's what we hope for our children, too.
That they will grow in the Lord and be filled with wisdom.
May the grace of God be on them in this new year.
Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. — Luke 2:34-35
And he praised God for sending Jesus.
He went on to tell about how God would use Jesus to save the world.
We are grateful that Jesus has filled our hearts with His love.
And that He has sent His Holy Spirit to guide our lives.
And that He has blessed us with wonderful family members who pray for us.
Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you may now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all nations: a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of your people Israel. — Luke 2:29-32
Praise be to God for sending His Son, Jesus!
On New Years Eve Abby and I walked along La Jolla Shores and marveled at God's goodness.
We were amazed by the beautiful sunset filling the sky above the water and the beach.
The dogs we saw were enjoying the evening, too.
And seagull just stood near the water taking it all in.
What a fun evening that displayed God's glory for all of us to see.
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. — Luke 2:25-26
He watched and waited for years to see Jesus.
He was righteous and devout.
I wish I could say the same.
He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.
The Holy Spirit had revealed to him that he would get to see the Lord's Messiah before he died.
