The Church building has been decorated, Angel Tree is up, Christmas parades are being organized, Christmas program practice has begun and parties are planned, so it must be Christmas.  Yes there is truly excitement in the air!  But let’s not get so caught up in all of the activity that we forget what this season is all about.  It is about Jesus and the fact that a baby was born in a manger so many years ago who is the Savior of the world. 

 Well, not a galaxy far, far away. A long time ago, in a land sort of far away. It is a period of unrest for the people of God. The Empire of King Herod – backed by the Roman oppressors– is a dark force in the land of Judah. Who can bring light into this dark situation?  Who can bring light into the even deeper darkness of our own sin?

How many of you remember Evel Knievel?  If you have no idea who I am talking about or it’s a distant memory, let me give you a brief description.  He was a daredevil and international icon.  He attempted more than seventy-five ramp to ramp jumps with a motorcycle from 1965-1980.  He even tried a canyon jump at Snake River Canyon in the Skyrocket X-2, which was a steam powered rocket which failed.  He was willing to try almost anything.  I am sure my parents thought he was crazy, but we idolized him.