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Rejoicing Always ACHILE OKALA, STUDENT MDIV/THEOLOGY for His faithfulness and benevolence towards mankind. His Simeon delightedlythepraisesasGodhas thepatriarch whoprivilege of holdingthe significance and praises express satisfaction of a truly understands implications of this moment he unspeakable the child, Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. Simeon's joy and selfless praise to God lends a beautiful perspective upon the goodness of God in the sending of the Redeemer of both Jews and Gentiles: Jesus, the Christ of God. So, we enter the season's celebration of "Christmas" with varying interpretations, and understandings of its significance and meaning. But one profound reality remains about Christmas, provided we take the time to think about it. Christmas is the most wonderful time of all times; because through the coming of Christ into the world, "SOVEREIGN LORD, AS YOU HAVE though in the form of a fragile and PROMISED, YOU MAY NOW DISMISS seemingly helpless baby, Yahweh YOUR SERVANT IN PEACE. FOR MY fulfilled His promise in sending the One who would "crush" the head EYES HAVE SEEN YOUR SALVATION, of the serpent who deceived Adam WHICH YOU HAVE PREPARED IN THE and Eve into sinning against God (Genesis 3:15). Not only so, but SIGHT OF ALL NATIONS: A LIGHT FOR He has also in Christ's Incarnation REVELATION TO THE GENTILES, AND the means for reconciliation, and for restoring the fellowship and THE GLORY OF YOUR PEOPLE ISRAEL." harmony that existed between God (LUKE 2:29-32) and human beings in the beginning. May we therefore celebrate, and view the memorial of Christ's birth not just as a cause for seasonal merriment, but even more so, as a justified motive for rejoicing always. 17 Christmas is a reminder of God's redemptive mercy and kindness of heart. Hallelujah and Merry Christmas! DECEMBER 22 DENVER SEMINARY CHRISTMAS 2013