In the Christmas story, the Angel said, "I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people". The Christian life should be one that is marked with JOY. It is one of the fruits of the Spirit, Paul often prayed with JOY for the churches and James tells us to consider it pure JOY when we face trials. Peter gives us the answer to how we get this JOY in our lives and just as in the Christmas story, it is found in Jesus.

As we think about Christmas, four words stand out: Hope, Peace, Joy and Love. Leading up to Christmas we are going to spend time looking at these words and what they mean for us today. We start with HOPE. In Hebrews, we are told that HOPE is like an anchor for our souls. This anchor is not grounded in the crust of the earth but fixed in heaven where Jesus our high priest is. HOPE is always found in Jesus and not in ourselves.

This passage shows the important aspects of love that we are challenged to apply to our lives as we connect with others. Love enriches, edifies and endures. What aspects of love do you need to work on in your life?

In this section of scripture, we are told that if we are to remain in Jesus then we will grow in 3 ways. UP in our relationship with CHRIST. IN with our relationship with others in the CHURCH and OUT as we share God's love and the gospel with the COMMUNITY.

There are many forms of wealth in this world, but there is one thing that money can't buy and that is a relationship with God. Jesus told us to seek first the Kingdom of God and everything else would be given to us. In chapter 8 of Proverbs, we are told to seek wisdom and allow God to look after the rest.