In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.
³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
(John 14:2-3 -- KJV)

“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky?  This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
(Acts 1:11 -- NIV)

Oh, come, our Dayspring from on high,
And cheer us by your drawing nigh,
Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,
And death's dark shadows put to flight.
Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel
Shall come to you, O Israel!

(French Processional translated by John Neal)


Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/nativity-figurines-gm890135906-246674043

Through Jesus we should always bring God a sacrifice of praise, that is, words that acknowledge him.

(Hebrews 13:15 -- GW)

 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
^14 "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
(Luke 2:13-14 -- KJV)

I passed on to you the most important points of doctrine that I had received:
Christ died to take away our sins as the Scriptures predicted.
⁴ He was placed in a tomb.  He was brought back to life on the third day as the Scriptures predicted.

(1 Corinthians 15:3-4 -- GW)

But the righteous are glad; they rejoice before God and celebrate with joy.
(Psalm 68:3 -- CSB)

Photo:  https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/red-bells-gm885744734-246059145
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/red-bells-gm885726034-246056871

The people who live in darkness have seen a great light, and for those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.

(Matthew 4:16 -- CSB)