Pastor's Corner 12/21/08

Not what should we think but how should we think at Christmas. How should the incarnation of Jesus impact our thinking? We are in the midst of troubling times and facing more troubling times ahead. It is being predicted that, worldwide, we are facing economically tough times. Unemployment in Michigan has risen to over 9%! Politically things are, for the Christian, not very encouraging to say the least. Corruption seems to be rife throughout our political system as well, something we thought only happened in other governments. So, what does the Christian do in times like these? We celebrate Christmas! Christmas should always be a time of hope. How can a Christian despair when they remember the baby born in Bethlehem? How can a Christian despair when they remember that the baby’s name is Immanuel which means “God with us”! God living among us in human form means, among other things, that God has not abandoned us; that we have not been left to our own devises. It means that God has a solution to the problem of man. And let me remind you that the problem with man is not economic or political; it is alienation from God through sin. As long as we are alienated from God, I don’t care how optimistic we are economically or politically, we are without hope! However, once we are reconciled to God, nothing can rob us of hope; nothing can make us despair. Where is your hope this Christmas? Is it in your bank account? Is it in your job? Or is it in Jesus? Is Jesus your Lord and Savior? If not, you need to repent of your sins and turn to Jesus for forgiveness and then, being reconciled to God, Christmas will be a time of hope for you too. Pastor Don