It's, the idea of Christmas is a whole lot of different things to a lot of people.

A lot of it that has nothing to do with the Christ.

But it's good for us to come together as a church and be reminded of what it's really about.

So let's release faith and for the next few moments of whatever words that we should hear

and whatever focus the Lord would have us to have in the days to come as we meet our

relatives and friends and our parties, our get-togethers.

It is like Phyllis was saying earlier,

it is vitally important that we be the witnesses and the light that the Lord has made us to be.

And we don't just get conformed to the unbelieving world,

but that we are an influence for good.

Do you believe that, friends?

Father, we agree together as touching this.

First of all, we thank you for our children.

We thank you for our youth truly.

They are a blessing from you.

And we bless them and speak grace and peace over them.

And we thank you, Lord, for helping all of us to do our part in bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of you, our Lord.

That they may have the kind of life that you intend that they have

and not be robbed.

And we ask you for words right now and for ears to hear them.

And we purpose, Lord, to not just be hearers only and to not be swallowed up in the godlessness

and conform to this world, but to be the

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