In order to understand the story of the Wise Men and all of the elements of their story, as with anything regarding God, we must first consult the Word of God, not man’s own ideas or traditions. Exodus 13:21-22 – And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people. Number

Let us begin by considering the The Christ Candle. It is the white candle in the center of the Advent Wreath. It represents that one flicker of sanity in a world blazing with the fires of pride. About 5800 years ago, God said “Let there be light.” Christ was there then. He is the Light through whom all light was made (John 1). Here originated the placing of lights in our windows this time of year. In days gone by, Christians placed a candle in their window to tell passers-by

By the President of the United States of America, a Proclamation. Whereas it is the duty of all Nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey his will, to be grateful for his benefits, and humbly to implore his protection and favor-- and whereas both Houses of Congress have by their joint Committee requested me to recommend to the People of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many

Yehosef’s (Joseph’s) Story   Come Christmastime, we hear so much about the miracles that God lavished on Miriam, Mary. We read a lot about Elizabeth and her son, John, and there’s a lot of focus on the women. We sing about wise men and shepherds, Bethlehem and angels, a star and a manger. In the scant few carols that even mention Joseph, they do so only because he was engaged to Mary. How little we hear about Jehosef – whom the Gentile world calls Joseph – destined to be step