12-25-2014

 Good Morning All,

        Luke 2:14; “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”

      MERRY CHRISTMAS!!  We hear this a lot this time of year.  Some say it in the same way they say “how are you?”  Some use it as a way to show that they are happy this time of year.  Some use it as some form of political statement and a stand against “politically correct” speech.  There are many ways to use this phrase but there is a real way to use it and that is the way it was intended.

    The word “merry” is actually intended to convey a message of peace.  So when one was wished a “merry day” or to go “on their merry way;” it was meant that they would have a peaceful day or trip.  This was especially desired by the local sheriff or by the one who watched the seas for marauders.  It was also a much desired outcome of those who travelled through the countryside where highwaymen and other thieves waited to prey on their next victims.  Wishing someone a merry time was intended to offer a hope or even a blessing of a peaceful existence or life.

     For many, this time of year can be anything but joyful or happy.  Loved ones who have left us too soon or are suffering from illness weigh on the joyful thoughts.  Perhaps you have loved ones far away, maybe in the military or just in regular jobs but far from home and missing around the Christmas tree.  Perhaps it is you that is missing.  Perhaps you have had a falling out and the relationship is fractured and you don’t know how to get it back.  There are lots of reasons that Christmas may not be the most wonderful time of the year for you but we always have reason for hope.

     We celebrate the birth of Jesus on this day for this very reason.  He brings to us peace; he brings us peace with God and peace from God.  He brings us the power to be forgiven and to forgive.  He gives us the power to have peace in this life.  We can live with the certainty of the hope of our salvation.  Because of the peace that we have with God, we can begin to have peace with each other.  We can use his grace to heal our heart, to heal our soul and then to reach out and heal with each other but especially with ourselves.  God desires that we be whole both in our spirit and in our relationship. 

        So no matter where you find yourself today; God desires to be at peace with you.  He desires that you be healed of your pain and that you release the pain and the sorrow that you may feel.  Know God’s love for you is real and reaching to you to give you hope.  Even if you are troubled, God continues to reach to you in love to give you hope to give you peace.  Merry Christmas!

Gracious Father, in you we have hope, in you we have peace.  Bring me to the comfort of this peace.  Let your peace rule our lives that we may be healed by your grace.  Rule our hearts and our lives with your great mercy.  In the precious name of Jesus we pray, amen.

God’s Peace,

Pastor Bret