A New Year’s Prayer By Stephen A. Macchia Throughout the New Year 2018, may the Lord grant you the courage and strength to… Dream more Complain less Listen more Talk less Love more Argue less Forgive more Divide less Hope more Fear less Relax more Worry less Help more

Happy Christmas to all! Christmas day is traditionally known as the beginning of “the twelve days of Christmas” concluding on January 6, which is called Epiphany. During the 12 days of Christmas, we join the chorus of Christ followers in commemoration of those who so faithfully loved Jesus the Messiah.

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #25 – the Messiah has come to us as Jesus, the Name Above All Names (Luke 2: 1-20).  The birth narrative is a miraculous glimpse into

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #24 – the Messiah’s coming will be reason to praise, for salvation has arrived (Luke 1: 68-79).  Zechariah’s song reveals the heart of a godly father

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #23 – the Messiah’s coming will be hopeful, prayerful and expectant (Luke 1: 46-55). Mary’s song of praise is a prayerful response to the Lord’s favor

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #22 – the Messiah will be called Emmanuel, God with us (various texts). The promise of the Messiah spans the Old Testament and the fulfillment is

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #21 – the Messiah will be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2 and Matthew 2: 1-6). Bethlehem, the least of the clans of Judah, would become the

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #20 – the Messiah will be called out of Egypt (Hosea 11:1 and Matthew 2: 13-15). Joseph was the human father God ordained to care for

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #19 – the Messiah will be born among sorrow and the object of a murderous plot (Jeremiah 31:15 and Matthew 2: 16-18). When the Magi outwitted

25 Fulfilled Promises of Christmas: Advent Reflections for those who Wait, Watch, and Wonder Once More Compiled and composed by Stephen A. Macchia Promise #18 – the Messiah will do life-affirming, redemptive deeds (Isaiah 61: 1-3 and Luke 4: 17-21).  Offer good news to the poor. Bind up the brokenhearted.