Now is the time to embrace all the blessings of the past year and look forward to what lies ahead for the remainder of 2023 and all of 2024. Opportunities, prospects, and challenges abound. And as the Grammy-Award-winning singer/musician/actor Phil Collins would say, “I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord.”  We have come this far by faith and with faith we will reach our final destination.  

But siblings, there is always a special excitement in the air at this time of the year as we embark upon the Advent season. There is anticipation and remembrance, and it never grows old as each year we celebrate anew the greatest gift ever given—for unto us a savior was born. 

As a youth, I remember walking throughout the community and singing Christmas carols. Our rewards of hot chocolate, peppermints, pastries, and fruit cakes were greatly appreciated and we hardly noticed the cold weather. 

The story that never gets old 

And even now, many decades removed, I still await with eager anticipation the story of the birth of our Lord and Savior. Because that story never gets old. Once again, the air is filled with joy, hope, and anticipation; with thoughts of Mary, Joseph, the star, the wise men, the manger, the oxen and sheep, the drummer boy, along with frankincense and myrrh. Indeed, what child is this? Sisters and brothers, this, this is Christ the King. 

So during this season of Advent, let us embrace the love of Jesus as we consider those in need. Let us reach out to those who don’t have food, clothing, housing, or medical attention and to those who have not yet come to know the love and saving grace of Christ. Let us share the good news and consider what gifts we can offer others, since we have already received the greatest gift of all. Make a special effort to renew our love for each other. Yes, Emmanuel! Joy to the World! Silent Night! O Come, All Ye Faithful! I pray that we will re-live the greatest story ever told; not just during Advent but throughout the year.  

Because of the sinful nature of humanity, we could never be in a right relationship with God. So God sent God’s Son! Yes, they called him Jesus. The greatest gift that anyone could ever receive was given for the forgiveness of our sins, to offer us salvation, to place us in a right relationship with God, to be members of the royal priesthood as sisters and brothers of Christ and heirs and co-heirs together with Christ. That’s why I’m always excited and filled with eager anticipation at this time of the year.  

As you embrace this season of anticipation, always remember your baptism and keep it holy as we carry out the mission that has been set before us: to love Jesus and one another. My siblings, in anticipation of who is to come and what is to come, and in anticipation of what God has in store for us in going forward, Rejoice! Again, I say rejoice! Merry Christmas, feliz navidad, meri keuriseumaseu, joyeux noel, eid milad majid, happy Kwanzaa . . .  

May God bless you with a healthy and prosperous 2024.