Post by Woody Williams on Dec 20, 2012 9:53:12 GMT -5
Every week I get a newsletter from my church - Newburgh United Methodist. My pastor had a message in this week's newsletter that I would like to share...
It's one of those strange weeks: only a few days since a heart-wrenching national tragedy and only a few more days until we celebrate one of the greatest events in history, Christmas. It's not ironic or coincidental either, because this is our reality. This real world has both evil and good, violence and kindness, retribution and grace, hate and love, or as scripture often defines this paradox of our existence, darkness and light.
It's not unusual that we experience the darkness of the world and yet long for the promises of God in Jesus Christ. It's why he came, to provide hope where all seemed hopeless; to bring peace where conflict abides; to bring joy even in the most difficult circumstances and to show love to a longing humanity. He is the light that shatters darkness!
But what does that really mean?
Christmas is all about potential, an alternative to the status quo. It's God saying to humanity, "you can do better, I'll show you how and I'll help you along the way." That's the beauty of Christmas, that God showed up to chase the darkness away from our lives and to shine his light not just on us, but in us and through us. Christmas is to be a great reminder that we can do better. We can love more completely, give more generously, hope more completely and experience authentic joy...all because God cares about us, the whole human family that is.
We're not just to celebrate the light this week in our Christmas celebrations, we are to shine it too, every day.
Merry Christmas!
Peace ><>
Pastor Chris
.
It's one of those strange weeks: only a few days since a heart-wrenching national tragedy and only a few more days until we celebrate one of the greatest events in history, Christmas. It's not ironic or coincidental either, because this is our reality. This real world has both evil and good, violence and kindness, retribution and grace, hate and love, or as scripture often defines this paradox of our existence, darkness and light.
It's not unusual that we experience the darkness of the world and yet long for the promises of God in Jesus Christ. It's why he came, to provide hope where all seemed hopeless; to bring peace where conflict abides; to bring joy even in the most difficult circumstances and to show love to a longing humanity. He is the light that shatters darkness!
But what does that really mean?
Christmas is all about potential, an alternative to the status quo. It's God saying to humanity, "you can do better, I'll show you how and I'll help you along the way." That's the beauty of Christmas, that God showed up to chase the darkness away from our lives and to shine his light not just on us, but in us and through us. Christmas is to be a great reminder that we can do better. We can love more completely, give more generously, hope more completely and experience authentic joy...all because God cares about us, the whole human family that is.
We're not just to celebrate the light this week in our Christmas celebrations, we are to shine it too, every day.
Merry Christmas!
Peace ><>
Pastor Chris
.
