Connection Church of Arlington Texas

Hard to believe, but here we are on the eve of Christmas 2008. I love Christmas! I love everything about Christmas. I enjoy celebrating each year the birth of our Savior. I enjoy the festivities with family and friends gathering. I love the colorful Christmas lights and the shimmering  Christmas trees, the gift-giving, and the rekindling of our eagerness for the second advent of Jesus. 

 Looking back over our shoulders, I don’t think anyone would argue the point that it has been a tough year. Fear played a major role in making this year a tough one. Fear of Iran’s progress in aquiring nuclear capability, fear of an act of terrorism here in America again, the uncertainty of a new presidential administration, and of course the fear of a total financial meltdown. Wall street, the banking industry, and the auto industry, are just a few of the concerns that have caused us to clutch our hearts.

Our heads still spinning from the devestation left by hurricane Katrina, we watched Ike, another catastrophic hurricane this year take it’s toll along the coast of Texas. Hit especially hard was Galveston Bay. Natural weather events, or should I say un-natural weather events have been a constant reminder in the news that we are at the mercy of a greater force than ourselves. From the fires burning out of control in California, to the ice and blizzard conditions taking place in the northeastern states at the writing of this blog, by anyone’s estimate it has been a tough year.

But I am also reminded of the promise of God given to the prophet Isaiah concerning Mary the mother of Jesus. He said, “The Lord himself shall give you a sign: The Virgin will be “with” child and will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel- God “With” Us.” That is the peace in all of this fear and uncertainty…God has promised us he will be “with” us! He said, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” He also said with certainty, “Lo, I will be “with” you even to the end.”

God with us! He is with us in our problems. He is with us in our storms. He is with us when we are hurting, when we are ill, when we feel we are forsaken. Just remember, you are never alone in your situations of life…He is with you! So, go ahead and enjoy this Christmas season to it’s fullest… it’s all about Immanuel – God with us!