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 The last three years have been such different
times for all of us. The craziness of the world caused by Covid,
inflation, politics, the moral shifting of America, wars, the daily
news cycle, (let alone what happens in our individual families) –
all of it combined can make us feel as if nothing is really solid
under our feet. It’s all shifting so radically. Is anything
immovable? Is anything bedrock?
Christmas is a reminder that there is something bigger than all the
swirl. The four messages of Advent have been the major themes of our
Christmas focus here at Faith Church. Hope, Faith, Joy, and Peace.
These are commodities every soul is looking for. They are so
wondrously found in a relationship with Jesus.
The characters of the Christmas story experienced first-hand these
qualities. Consider…
…Imagine the hope that filled the heart of Elizabeth when she
found herself with child when she was past her childbearing years!
When Mary visited her, the child in her womb (who would become John
the Baptist) leapt for joy, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy
Spirit! Her shame was removed, and the longing fulfilled in her life
was sweet satisfaction.
…Imagine the faith journey that Joseph went on. A righteous
man with a pregnant fiancé! She said it was “by the Holy Spirit,”
but could that really be?! As Joseph sought the Lord, God answered
by sending the angel to confirm to him the truth. At the expense of
his own reputation, Joseph obeyed the direction that God gave him.
God entrusted the raising of the Messiah to this man of faith!
…Imagine the joy of the shepherds, lowest on the social
ladder, as the angel visited them during one long night watch,
filling the atmosphere with the glory of God, announcing the birth
of the Messiah to them. The sky then lit up with a host of heaven!
And they journeyed to the manger scene to find things exactly as had
been told them. This amazing moment defined their lives as they told
everyone everywhere what God had revealed to them. Joy! Joy! Joy!
…Imagine the peace – that deep immovable shalom of God that
touches the deep places of the soul – that came over Mary as she had
given birth to the Messiah, the Christ child, now resting in a
manger, she and Joseph having come through the birthing experience
together, now settled in a corner of the stable, reflecting about
the goodness of God. Life was not, and would never, be easy. “A
sword will pierce your own soul, too.” But there is something of
deep assurance knowing that you are right in the middle of the will
of God, trusting Him daily for every supply. And that peace, that
none could ever take away, belonged to her.
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These qualities that make life worth living –
precious commodities – are yours and they are mine as we walk in
relationship to the Lord. Hope does not disappoint. Faith in God
still moves mountains. Joy is your strength. His peace passes all
understanding.
Jesus said that if we built our lives upon the Him and upon His
words, that even the greatest storms of life that relentlessly
batter and blow against the house of our lives would not cause them
to crash. We will stand firm.
Even in a 2022 ever changing world, the things of God do not change.
They hold fast, and they hold you fast.
We are praying for you this holiday season. We are believing for God
to touch your life as you live for Him.
Darren & Kami Palmer, pastors at Faith Church.
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