I don’t always have a word of the year, but if I had one for 2023 it would be hard.

There have just been so many things that have been hard, God has shown up, provided and even though it’s been hard it doesn’t mean it hasn’t also been good.  I wanted to share that word with you so I can share my advent word….

REJOICE

I love the song: O Come, Come, Emmanuel. It is haunting and quiet then bursts into chorus calling us to REJOICE!

Our advent prayers this year are focused on Jesus being the light of world, how he came to shine into the darkness. The line then from the song, “…Disperse the gloomy could of night, And deaths dark shadows put to flight, REJOICE…”

This advent season as we decorate and prepare let us be reminded to REJOICE because this baby is our Savior.  He is Emmanuel, God with us.

So, if like me you’ve had a hard year.

If the holidays are a hard season.

You might be walking in doubt, fear or even in darkness….

Here’s the good news:

God is with you, He came to reconcile all creation back to Himself, including us.

So we can REJOICE!

Even in the midst of hard and difficult darkness there is reason to hope.

REJOICE!

If this is a season of wonder, seen through your child’s eye.

A season of joy and fun, family and friends, remember to

REJOICE.

Merry Christmas from the Aceves Family 2023!