(speaking of Jesus Christ)  You love him, though you have not seen him. And though not seeing him now, you believe in him and rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy …     (1 Peter 1:8)
 
Eleven days till Christmas. Are you stressed? How’s your To Do list coming along? If we’re honest, stress and fatigue can mark our lives during the Christmas season more than joy. But joy shouldn’t be just a word on our Christmas cards. It should be something we live and radiate. 
 
There are many facets to the joy of the Lord, but the coming of a Savior is the brightest. We humans, egged on by Satan, have rebelled against God, thinking we know better how to run our lives and this world. What a horrible mess we have made of things! What joy to know that God Himself came to us, endured confinement in a human body, and died for us to free us from our horrible mess!
 
Don’t settle for a joyless season this year. Ask the Lord to help you rediscover, and share, the joy of Christ and His salvation.
 
Here are some suggestions as you take time this week to pray:
 
1.  If you are more stressed than joyful, lay your pre-Christmas To Do list and schedule before the Lord, asking Him how these activities fit with inexpressible and glorious joy.  Ask: Do You want me to do this task, just with a different outlook? Then help me change my attitude. Or do You want me to set it aside this year, even at the risk of upsetting someone? Then give me courage to obey.
 
2.  Please pray for Jim and Lynette Hatcher as they mourn the death of a man who was their friend and co-worker. Joe and his wife, Brenda, served with the Hatchers in Greater Europe Mission in Austria for nearly 30 years. Jim would appreciate prayer for the message he will give at Joe’s funeral on Friday.
 
3.  The Christmas gifts for the children of Hacienda Victoria and the items donated to the supply drive will be transported to the Tijuana Christian Mission office in San Diego on Saturday. Pray that these gifts will succeed in expressing the love of God to the children and staff.
 
4.  Pray for our college students as they take final exams and finish projects.
 
5.  The murder of 14 innocent people in San Bernardino has refocused our attention and outrage on terrorists acting in the name of Islam. Two of the most active Islamic terrorist groups – Boko Haram and ISIS – killed over 12,000 people in 2014. Each life taken, near or far, is precious to God. Pray against the evil these terrorists embody. Pray for our leaders as they grapple with how to respond.
 
6.  Christmas is a busy time for pastors. Ask God to sustain our pastors and help them balance their pastoral work and family time during this season.
 
7.  Ask the Lord to direct our pastors and worship team as they prepare for our Christmas Eve services. Pray that He will use these special services to appeal to the hearts of unbelievers who attend church that night.

In Christ,
Carol Gilbert, Prayer Chair
Calvary Community Church of Brea