The Light of the World!

"In the time of My favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.

I tell you, now is the time of God's favor,

now is the day of salvation."

- 2 Corinthians 6:1-2

Lighting the Way - The Light of the World!

Dear Friend,

In the beginning, God's glorious creation began with four simple words: "Let there be light!" Out of darkness came radiant light that filled the earth. This was the beginning of a wondrous plan, to reveal the glory of God to a world engulfed in darkness, that would one day culminate in the throne room of heaven, with His very presence being fully revealed, radiating continuously His glorious light for all eternity.

"They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.

There will be no more night.

They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun,

for the Lord God will give them light.

And they will reign for ever and ever"

(Revelation 22:4-5)

As we look with wonder, awe, and excitement on the birth of our Savior, the Light of the World, let us remember, with grateful hearts, that this story did not end that holy night two thousand years ago. Just as His Word ushered in brilliant light to give His creation all that was necessary to grow and become fruitful, so too, His Word, in the form of a tiny baby (with a magnificent Name), ushered in a kingdom of righteousness that would flourish, fill the earth, and never end.

Faithful One, we are in the midst of His amazing story that has been unfolding for thousands of years. Tomorrow, Christmas Day, we will awake to the dawn of a glorious new day that is not the end of an amazing year of His favor, instead it is just the beginning of a wondrous year of His blessings that are ahead of us, if we will remain faithful. How blessed we are that our glorious King, Jesus, reigns in our hearts. As we look upon the times, in which we are living, may we be ever aware of this age of grace we are living in and be mindful of how little time we have left to share this glorious gift we have been given (a gift of God's grace), and faithfully share His radiant Light with the world!

Join us this Friday, December 26th, as we continue in the Lord's favor, entering the New Year with our eyes fixed on our reigning, and coming, King Jesus, by remaining faithful to the Word of God and prayer throughout the Twelve Days of Christmas leading up to the Epiphany. You can register to receive this 12 day, meal-by-meal, devotional email journey (December 26th through January 6th) by clicking EPIPHANY here, or below.

We look forward to a wondrous new year directed and guided by the Lord as we continue the path He has set before us and look forward to all He has planned in 2009. Join us as we faithfully, and obediently, respond to His call to continue, as we have begun, and place Him as our utmost priority in the New Year. He has prepared a wondrous field before us...

Thank you for your faithfulness to respond to the Lord's call to sit at His feet and feast on His Word with prayer and fasting this past year.

Your testimonies and prayers have been an inspiration and encouragement

to so many believers as we have walked this journey of faith together in 2008.

We pray you will experience an even deeper level of intimacy with the Lord

as you continue to dine upon His Word and spend time with Him in prayer in 2009.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

from Trumpet and Torch Ministries

Continue to Light the Way...see the Advent devotional below.

Grace and Peace,

Traci Alexander

Trumpet and Torch Ministries

www.trumpetandtorch.org

P.S. If you have not received the last four Advent emails, this month, you are not currently registered to receive the Trumpet and Torch email newsletter. We would like to invite you to join us as we continue in prayer and remain faithful to the Word of God in 2009. You can register to receive the email updates at www.trumpetandtorch.org. We would love to invite you join us this year as we continue with prayer and fasting. The Temple side of the website has two journeys (EAT at the Table of the King and WELLSPRING) to help guide you as you feast upon God's Word. A NEW journey is coming in 2009!

Advent Devotional:

"The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death

a light has dawned.

(Isaiah 9:2)

Lighting the Way - The Light of the World!

In the account of Jesus' birth, as recorded in Luke 1 & 2, there are 4 beautiful hymns that recognize the glory and majesty of God's wonderful gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. For our devotional today, we will meditate on these hymns:

1) Mary's Song - The Magnificat ("Glorifies"): Luke 1:46-55

2) Zechariah's Song - The Benedictus ("Praise be") Luke 1:68-79

3) The Angel's Song - Gloria in Excelsis Deo ("Glory to God in the Highest") Luke 2:14

4) The Hymn of Simeon - Nunc Dimittis ("[You] now dismiss") Luke 2:29-32

May we never cease to give the Lord the glory due His Name."Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness" (Psalm 29:2). May His Word continually be upon our lips, and His light so evident in our walk, that all may see and know the One Who has become for all the light of life (reference John 8:12). When we received His gift of salvation He ignited that light inside each one of us that we might radiate His Light and Truth to the world:

"You are the light of the world.

...let your light shine before men,

that they may see your good deeds

and praise your Father in heaven."

(Matthew 5:14a, 16)

As we come to the final candle of our Advent devotional journey, we light the center white candle, aptly named, the Christ candle. As we have shared, Jesus Christ came to bring Light and Life to the world. His candle will never cease to burn brilliantly. His Light will continue to shine and illuminate the heavens and the earth for all eternity. Praise God for His glorious Light!

Tonight we place this candle at the center of the Advent wreath and keep it burning throughout the 12 days of Christmas. Join us as we walk in His Light these next 12 days of the Epiphany journey. You can register to receive this email devotional, beginning December 26th, below.

Keep Radiating His Light!

"Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.

See, darkness covers the earth

and thick darkness is over the peoples,

but the LORD rises upon you

and His glory appears over you.

Nations will come to your light

and kings to the brightness of your dawn."

(Isaiah 60:1-3)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JESUS!

Thank you for your awesome and wondrous gift!