Magnificient! Yes, God Is!

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39 At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, 40 where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. 41 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! 43 But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!”46 And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord 47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, 48 for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, 49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 50 His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. 51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. 52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. 53 He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. 54 He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful 55 to Abraham and his descendants forever, just as he promised our ancestors.” (Luke 1:39-55 NIV)

The ad ran only once in the Judean Times. WANTED: Mother of God. There was nothing else. People noticed and talked about it. The phones in the offices of the Times rang nonstop, and no one ever got through. Some even tried to get inside the editorial offices to speak to those who dared to run such an ad. What was funny was that no one wanted to apply. No one felt worthy; the thinking was that such a person might have to have perfection in their character and living. And there was that issue of getting pregnant and the rumor was that the person selected needed to be a virgin. And that was just the first ad. The second ad was just as cryptic. FOUND: Mother of God.

Of course, no such ads appeared in any newspaper of the area or time, for there were none. And the selection of such an imporant person to fill that role was solely a decison of Almighty God. And the qualifications for such a person were humility, integrity, honesty, love of God, love of others, and an unending awe and wonder for all things God. We also find that the woman chosen had to have the ability to convey an awesome description of all things God. We all know that it was Mary whom God selected as the mother of Jesus and in this passage we find one of the most profound expressions of joy and praise in the New Testament: Mary's song, known as the Magnificat. This beautiful hymn of thanksgiving reveals the heart of a young woman who has been chosen for an extraordinary role—yet she sees it as an act of God’s mercy toward the humble and lowly.

When Mary visits her relative Elizabeth, the Holy Spirit stirs within her, and her heart overflows with a powerful declaration of God’s faithfulness. She recognizes that the God who has looked upon her humble state has also done mighty things for the world. The focus of her praise is not on her own greatness, but on God's greatness and His mercy—how He lifts the lowly, fills the hungry, and scatters the proud.

Mary’s words echo the central theme of Advent: God is coming to His people in a way that is unexpected, humble, and transformative. The Savior is born not in a palace, but in a stable, not to the powerful, but to a young woman from a forgotten town. This is God’s surprising way of working—through the lowly and the humble.

Advent is a season of preparation, of waiting, but it is also a time to reflect on the God who has already come in Christ and who will come again in glory. It is a time to recognize that, like Mary, we too are called to rejoice in God’s goodness, to trust in His promises, and to live with hope for the transformation He is bringing to our world.

PRAYER: Loving God, As we wait for Your coming, we join with Mary in proclaiming Your greatness. Thank You for looking upon us with mercy and grace, and for lifting up the humble. We pray that Your love and joy would fill our hearts this Advent season. Help us to live with hope, humility, and a willingness to serve others as You have served us. May we reflect Your light in a world that longs for peace and redemption. Come, Lord Jesus, and make our hearts Your home, for we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Let us also reflect on the ways in which God is working in our lives. In this season of Advent, how can we make room for the lowly and the humble in our hearts and actions? Who are the “hungry” around us who need to be filled with good things? What ways can we, like Mary, magnify the Lord in our daily lives and rejoice in His mercy? Take a moment to pray and consider how you can embody the joy and humility of the Magnificat today. Is there someone you can serve? A way you can reflect Christ’s mercy and grace? Advent is a time not only to await Christ’s coming but to live out the values of His kingdom, even now.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Awaiting Renewal

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14 Sing, Daughter Zion; shout aloud, Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, Daughter Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” 18 “I will remove from you all who mourn over the loss of your appointed festivals, which is a burden and reproach for you. 19 At that time I will deal with all who oppressed you. I will rescue the lame; I will gather the exiles. I will give them praise and honor in every land where they have suffered shame. 20 At that time I will gather you; at that time I will bring you home. I will give you honor and praise among all the peoples of the earth when I restore your fortunesbefore your very eyes,” says the LORD. (Zephaniah 3:14-20 NIV)

One of my favorite hymns is Tu Dejaste Tu Trono, which is the Spanish version of Room for Thee. (English version here: https://bit.ly/4fjGCb6. The words are haunting for they speak of not being room for His birth, i.e. the "no room at the inn" for Him, etc. As I matured and sang and sang that hymn every year it made me sad that He who had come to invite us in to a kingdom with room for everybody, suffered the reality of no room in what we could call a decent place for His birth, yet the hymn writer says the most important room we can offer Him today is the room we make for Him in our hearts.

Advent is the season of preparation and examination as we should quite purposefully and intentionally make room for Jesus, Who truly is the light of the world. Advent is a time of waiting, longing, and anticipation, but it is also a time of profound hope. In the midst of our expectations for Christ’s return, the Old Testament prophet Zephaniah offers us a powerful vision of God's promise of restoration and joy.

In Zephaniah 3:14-20, the prophet speaks to a people who are weary and burdened by their circumstances. Is he preaching or meddling? Israel, having suffered the consequences of their disobedience, is longing for deliverance. Yet, in the midst of judgment, God speaks words of comfort and hope. Zephaniah tells the people to "sing aloud" and "rejoice and exult with all your heart," for God is not distant but is in their midst, bringing salvation and restoration. The God who once judged and disciplined will now heal, restore, and gather the scattered. Have you ever stopped to ponder the awesomeness of singing in the Christmas story? Did you forget about the choir of angels who sang to the shepherds? The way Mary sang after she was told of her pregnancy and selection as the woman who would brith God's son? What keeps you from singing right now?

This passage points us forward to the hope that Advent offers: the coming of a Savior who will redeem and renew all things. God promises to deal with our brokenness and sin, to restore us to fullness, and to bring us peace. This season, we reflect not only on the first coming of Christ but on His second coming—when He will make all things new.

Zephaniah emphasizes the joy that accompanies God's intervention. The people of God are told that they will no longer have to fear. “The Lord your God is in your midst,” Zephaniah proclaims, “a warrior who gives victory.” These words remind us that God is not only with us but is actively working on our behalf. Just as the people of Israel longed for God's intervention, we too look to Christ as the one who will one day bring ultimate peace and justice.

As we wait for Christ to come, we are called to live in the assurance of God's love and presence, rejoicing in the hope that He brings. Advent is not just a season of waiting—it is a season of celebration, as we remember that God has already come in Jesus Christ and will come again.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, we thank You for the hope and joy that Advent brings. As we await the coming of Christ, may we be reminded of Your promise to restore, heal, and gather Your people. Help us to live in the joy of Your presence, knowing that You are near. Teach us to rejoice in the hope that You bring and to share that hope with those around us. In this season of waiting, fill our hearts with the peace and love that only You can give. Come, Lord Jesus, and make all things new. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Why not reflect on the joy and peace that God promises through the coming of Jesus. Take time each day to rejoice in God’s presence, knowing that He is near. How can you embody this joy in your daily life? Is there someone you can encourage with the hope of Christ, or a way you can share God’s love and peace in your community? Let this Advent be a season of joyful expectation, trusting that God is at work in our world and in our hearts, preparing us for His coming. Why not sing along to the Youtube video of Room for Thee?

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Prepare the Way!

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7 John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 9 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” 10 “What should we do then?” the crowd asked. 11 John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.” 12 Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?” 13 “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?” He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” 15 The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. 16 John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” 18 And with many other words John exhorted the people and proclaimed the good news to them. (Luke 3:7-18 NIV Bible)

I am an international preacher. Not bragging, but a fact. I was serving a church in the Rio Grande Valley, and thanks to some church members I received an invitation to preach in a church in Reynosa, Tamualipas, Mexico. And I felt led to take with me, a costume from our Christmas pageants, of a character like John the Baptist. And for that sermon I thought I would preach from this passage, verse 7 and thus began my sermon to a group of men. To this day I do not know how they received this message, or especially the reference to being a "brood of vipers!"

In Luke 3, we encounter John the Baptist, a figure who calls God's people to repentance and radical change. This is the season of preparation; we prepare for the coming of Christ Jesus, and in this passage we find John's message as a call to our own hearts. His words are urgent, challenging, and yet filled with hope.

John's words to the crowds in verse 7 are stark: "You brood of vipers!" This strong language isn't meant to shame, but to awaken people to the urgency of the times. The people had grown complacent, relying on their heritage—"We have Abraham as our father"—and their rituals, rather than living out true faith. John calls them to something deeper: a life of repentance that bears fruit. For us, this season of Advent is a time to look inward and ask: Is my life producing the fruit of repentance? Am I just going through the motions of faith, or am I genuinely turning my heart towards God, allowing Him to transform me?

When the crowd asks, "What should we do?" John doesn't give a vague answer. He offers practical, actionable steps:

Share with those in need (v. 11).

Be honest in your work (v. 13).

Be content and avoid greed (v. 14).

True repentance isn't just about feelings; it leads to active change in how we live, how we treat others, and how we align our lives with God's values. In Advent, we are invited not just to reflect on Christ's first coming but to live in anticipation of His return. How are we living out the ethics of the Kingdom now?

As John baptizes with water, he reminds the people that someone greater is coming—Jesus, who will baptize with the Holy Spirit and fire. In this promise, John points to the hope of transformation, of cleansing, of new life. Advent is not just a time of waiting, but a time of hopeful expectation. Christ has come, and He will come again. The invitation for us in this season is to prepare our hearts not only for His birth in Bethlehem but for His return in glory.

PRAYER: Holy God, As we wait and prepare during this Advent season, we hear the call of John to prepare the way for Your coming. We confess that our hearts are often far from You, filled with distractions, complacency, and self-reliance. Forgive us, Lord. Help us to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Open our eyes to the needs of those around us, and give us the courage to live out Your values with integrity and love. We await Your coming, not just as a baby in Bethlehem but as our returning King. Transform us this Advent so that we may be ready for Your glory. For it is in Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, let’s respond to John’s call to repentance with tangible action: Find a way to serve someone in need: whether by sharing resources, offering a listening ear, or volunteering time. Examine your own life—are there areas where you are holding on to greed, selfishness, or complacency? Surrender these to God, and ask Him to help you live more fully in alignment with His Kingdom values. Take time each day to reflect on the hope of Christ’s coming. How can your life reflect the anticipation and joy of His return? Let this Advent be a time of true preparation—of heart, of action, and of deep hope.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

Turn on the Light!

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68 "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has looked favorably on his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a mighty savior for us in the house of his servant David, 70 as he spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we would be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us. 72 Thus he has shown the mercy promised to our ancestors, and has remembered his holy covenant, 73 the oath that he swore to our ancestor Abraham, to grant us 74 that we, being rescued from the hands of our enemies, might serve him without fear, 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High; for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways, 77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the forgiveness of their sins. 78 By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke 1:68-79 NRSV)

PRAYER REQUEST: This afternoon at 1 pm Central Time, a dear friend, Rob Rocha undergoes oral surgery to remove all of his top teeth and some of his bottom teeth, and replace them with dentures. It's a long process and Rob has asked prayers from us. May God grant him a painless procedure and a comfortable recovery! And a means to help fund that costly process! Prayers for his wife, Pauline, as she tends for him during this time. Also, prayers for my dear friend, The Rev. Bill Henderson, who on this trip is now under the weather; may God heal him and bless his wife Jody with patience as he heals! May God bless you in your needs!

"You Can't Hurt My Feelings! I Used to Hold the Flashlight for my Dad!" I still laugh and want to cry as I read that. I saw that on the famous (Infamous?) Arroyo Cafe signs that speak volumes of truth. Those of you who have held or tried to hold a flashlight for your dad know the truth behind that saying. As hard as I/we tried, it was never quite right! Most dads could only work on their cars after dark, and with daylight savings time changes, a flashlight was crucial for dad to see where to place the bolt on the repair job. And for most kids, holding a light steady was the last thing on their mind. "What am I missing while I'm out here? Is it Friday? Are the Flintstones on? Dang, and I'm out here with my dad trying to fix this old car again? Why don't we just buy a new one??"

Let us not forget that on the day of our birth, our dads were elated with joy! The last thing on our dad's mind was the goofy, shaky hands we would have in our childhood when he tried yet again to fix his car. No sir! "God has blessed me with a child!" Amen and amen! Here in this passage we are reading the words of joy Zechariah expressed on the birth of his son, John. No, he did not know that this baby would grow up to wear camel's skin and eat locusts and honey, but he did know that he would call the people of God to prepare themselves for the coming of the Lord; truly "the prophet of the Most High," who did go forth to preapre the way of the Lord.

We have witnessed truly a moment of profound joy and gratitude, filled with hope for the coming of the Messiah. In these verses, we see Zechariah prophesy about God's promise to redeem Israel and bring salvation to the world through the coming of Jesus.

Zechariah’s song highlights two central themes: God’s faithfulness and the light of salvation. First, he praises God for fulfilling the promises made to the people of Israel, beginning with the covenant made to Abraham. This salvation, he says, will free God's people from their enemies and allow them to serve Him without fear.

But it’s the second part of Zechariah’s song that strikes a chord with the Advent season. He speaks of the dawn from on high breaking upon us—"the light to those who sit in darkness." In a world of shadow and despair, Advent is a season of waiting for the arrival of that very light: the birth of Jesus Christ, who is the light of the world. God's "flashlight" is not in any way shakey! It's a steady, strong beam of light right where it should be.

Advent invites us to reflect on our own darkness. It’s easy to become overwhelmed by the uncertainties and struggles of life—the personal hardships, the global challenges, and the everyday shadows that seem to cloud our hearts. Yet, Zechariah’s prophecy reminds us that the light of Christ has already come and is still coming. It’s not just a future hope but a present reality that guides us in the here and now. Just as John the Baptist was called to prepare the way for Jesus, we too are invited to be bearers of that light to others.

In this season of Advent, we wait, but we do not wait passively. We wait with expectation, knowing that the light of Christ is already among us and calling us to walk in that light, to share it with those who still sit in darkness.

PRAYER: Loving God, We thank You for the promise of salvation and the light that shines in our darkness. As we await the celebration of Christ's birth, help us to live in the hope and joy that His coming brings. Illuminate our hearts with Your love, that we might reflect that light to those around us. Give us the courage to step into the shadows with compassion and grace, guiding others to the peace and light that only You can provide. In the name of Jesus, the Light of the World, we pray. Amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: As we reflect on the promise of light in our lives, consider how you can be a source of light to others this Advent season. Is there someone you know who is struggling with loneliness, grief, or despair? How might you shine the light of Christ’s love into their lives through a simple act of kindness, an encouraging word, or offering a listening ear?

In the busy rush of the season, take a moment each day to pause and reflect on the light that Christ brings to your own life. Let it fill you with peace, and then extend that peace to those around you. This Advent, may we be not only recipients of God’s mercy but also active participants in sharing His light with the world.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.

The Purifying Fire

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1 See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; 3 he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years. (Malachi 3:1-4 NRSV Bible)

I grew up in a small town near the railroad tracks. Every year, or so it seemed, the circus would come to town. I wish I could remember the name of the circus company, but it was quite the event. About a week or two before its arrival by train, the circus would hire men to walk the streets around the town handing out flyers. And what flyers they were! Full color, different type fonts, pictures of elephants and clowns, trapeze artists and other eye-catching scenes that made every little boy and girl want to go to the circus! These messengers had already sold the circus to the poprulation that had no money, but with what influence they could muster up, and if moms and dads had some money, you can be sure those seats inside the big top would be filled. The hearts and minds of the little ones were already filled with joy and wonder of what was coming!

So should it be with Advent. In this passage in the last book of the Old Testament, the prophet is relaying God's word about the excitment of the coming event. There would only be one messenger to prepare the way for this coming One. We know what that event was; it was the birth of the Christ child, and thank God we know of the impact that event continues to have on the world even today!

Advent is a season of preparation, of waiting and watching for the coming of Christ into our lives and our world. As we light the candles on our Advent wreath and count down the days to Christmas, Malachi's prophecy invites us to reflect on what it means for the Lord to come—to truly come—into our hearts.

In these verses, we hear of a coming "messenger" who will prepare the way, and of the Lord who will come suddenly to His temple. This moment is not one of mere celebration or sweetness, but one of deep refinement and purification. The imagery Malachi uses is striking: the Lord is described as a refiner's fire and as fuller’s soap.

The process of refining is not a comfortable one. Silver and gold must endure intense heat to be purified, and so too, our hearts must face the refining fire of God's presence to be made pure. The "fuller’s soap" refers to the harsh cleansing agents used to remove dirt and impurities from wool—again, a picture of intense purification. In these images, we are reminded that Christ's coming is not just about offering us a gentle peace or the joy of the holiday season; it is also a call to allow God to purify and refine us.

This Advent, as we prepare for the coming of Christ, let us not only long for His peace and joy but also for the refining work He desires to do within us. Are there areas of your life that need purification—attitudes, habits, or relationships that require God’s cleansing touch? Perhaps there are wounds or burdens that need healing before the fullness of God’s peace can take root in your heart. Advent is an invitation to open those places to God, to invite the refiner’s fire to purify and transform us.

PRAYER: Loving and awesome God, As we wait for Your coming this Advent season, we invite You into the depths of our hearts. We recognize that Your coming is not only a moment of celebration but also a call to be refined and purified. We ask that You would purify us like silver and gold, removing the impurities of sin and selfishness from our lives. Refine our hearts so that we may offer ourselves in righteousness to You, pleasing in Your sight. Help us to wait with patience, knowing that Your purification is for our good, and that in the end, we will be made more fully into the people You have called us to be. Come, Lord Jesus, and prepare our hearts for Your arrival.This we pray in Christ Jesus' strong name, amen.

Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! YOUR CALL TO ACTION: Take some time each week to reflect on areas in your life where God may be calling you to a deeper purification. Is there a relationship that needs reconciliation? A habit that needs breaking? A burden that needs to be laid down? Why not set aside a moment of quiet reflection and invite God to purify your heart. Commit to actions of reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing, trusting that the refining fire of God is for your transformation. As you wait for Christ’s coming, let His love and grace refine you into the person He has created you to be.

I love you and I thank God for you!

Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.