I remember talking about the importance of forgiveness one day in Bible study. After class I visited with some friends and was late leaving. As I walked to my car I passed two women sitting in a suburban with the engine running. The driver’s side window rolled down and a woman with tears in her eyes, sobbed, “Do I really have to forgive him?” My heart broke for her. I didn’t know her story but I could only imagine the suffering that whoever “he” was had put her through. I told her that yes, the Lord really is serious about forgiveness, we really are instructed to forgive everyone of everything and that sometimes the first step is simply to ask the Lord to make you willing to forgive. I invited her to do that.

Today I want to give you another big shining key for that key chain I gave you recently. These keys will help you as you walk on the ancient paths with the Lord. This key is important. It has to do with our personal relationships. This key will keep you out of one of the sneaky traps of the enemy of your soul, it is the key of not seeking your own revenge.

Imagine a janitor pulling out a heavy laden key ring loaded with lots of different keys. That is exactly what I want to give you today for your journey as you walk through life on the ancient paths with Jesus, a key ring that is loaded with keys. You will need each of these keys. These keys represent many different characteristics of a life that pleases God. You will need to employ these keys so that you line up with God’s heart and purposes for your life, so that you stay close to the Lord on the ancient paths.

Does anyone want to know God’s will for your life? Does anyone need God’s direction about a specific matter? Does anyone have a decision to make about a school or a job or some other situation and you need to discern God’s plan? Today we are going to learn about knowing and following God’s plan for your life.

Today I want to give each of you a flashlight. The Psalmist says, Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105. This flashlight represents the Bible, the Word of God as it lights our path. The Bible will shine on our course, it will set our boundaries, showing us the potential wrong turns and the dead ends, the places that are out of bounds. We especially need this flashlight at this time because the days are growing darker and it feels like we are walking into uncharted territory. God’s word will be our beacon that will light our way.

I am so glad you have responded to the Lord’s invitation to join me as we walk with Him on the ancient paths! This journey will be rewarding and fulfilling, but it may be difficult in some ways. We may end up with some blisters on our feet and some sore muscles on our backsides but it will be worth it. Remember this trip is not about the destination but the journey. Savor each step of the way.

I want to invite you to join me on a journey. We are not going to the latest “in” spot. This isn’t about setting trends or even crossing a destination off your bucket list. In fact this trip is not about the destination, it is about the journey. The Lord’s voice is issuing the invitation. There are many voices clamoring for our attention, pulling on us, distracting us. In order to hear this voice you will have to tune out the other louder voices and listen carefully to hear what Elijah calls the still small voice. This voice is the One who is worthy. He is the light of the world and in these days when the world is growing darker, we need to draw closer to the light of the world.

I believe the essence of Christmas is celebrating that the God of infinite majesty and glory went on mission to our humble planet and invaded humanity to be born as one of us as a helpless baby. Matthew sums up the Christmas story with one word, Immanuel. And they shall call his name Immanuel, which translated means, “God with us.”. Matthew 1:23. God has come among us. This is the essence of Christmas.

In the fulness of time the Christ child was born. His birth was not set in a palace but a humble stable, away from the pageantry of royal birth. Even though his arrival wasn’t noticed by the elites of this world, it was marked by unusual confirmation from a variety of sources. Angels became visible in the heavenlies over Bethlehem and heralded his birth, the shepherds in the fields beheld the glory of God in the sky overhead. Simeon and Anna gave prophetic witness in the temple that baby Jesus is the Messiah.

In the fulness of time, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law. Galatians 4:4. Jesus was born to parents who were faithful to the law. Both Mary and Joseph were devoted to God and so they raised their son to be observant. Jesus was never legalistic, yet he perfectly fulfilled the law. In his words, he did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill the law. This was true even when he was a babe in arms.