"And the angel said to them, 'Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of a great joy that will be for all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David (Bethlehem) a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you; you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.' And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth, peace among men of good will.'"
That is very good news and it is for all people!
My hope for you and for me is that we will embrace this Good News. My prayer is that we will take the time to think about it and consider it and wrestle with it. That we will let it change how we think and act. May a spirit of good will and gratitude and celebration and optimism sweep over us and creep into every interaction that we have today and in the days ahead.
The world can be frightening and painful. The future will hold both suffering and joy for all of us. We can be cynical and negative and curse the darkness, or we can bring light and joy and laughter and hope to every situation and relationship.
The Apostle Paul, who was no stranger to pain and darkness wrote these words, "Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice! Let your strong spirit be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
May we be people of hope and joy and love. May we be people who show that we have heard and believed and been transformed by the Good News about the Savior who was sent by the Creator of the universe for the sake of every person who has ever lived . . .
Stan Holmes
December 2015