“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned…For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.
Isaiah 9:2;6-7
Christmas Message
Dear Sojourners in Christ,
The breeze of the new season is with us. The season of Advent calls us to look for hope and anticipate the coming of the Redeemer in a manger. As we welcome the season, we also journey “in the land of deep darkness.” During the last ten months or so, all of us understood what it means to walk in darkness with the unexpected and fearful pandemic. Patiently, we have been praying for overcoming the challenge, but Covid 19 seems to corner us to deeper darkness.
According to the LA Times, California Gov. Gavin Newsom will announce a new stay-at-home order aimed at assisting regions of the state where intensive care units are badly strained and low on capacity due to the COVID-19 surge. Fear and a sense of resignation are there in our midst. Our prayers become desperate and even despondent, even as we hear the Good News again, “To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given.” Throughout time, the history of the Hebrews seems never to be without challenges. Their prayers have gone through dark valleys, trusting “Emmanuel, God with us.”
The most powerful season still embraces us with the HOPE in the Baby. Christmas, the day of Christ, comes with a resilient hope and uncompromising trust in God. Yes, fear is around us, but hope in Christ will eventually empower us ALL to make the season a gift of hope-filled anticipation. This new liturgical calendar begins with a faith-filled expectation that the Redeemer in a manger is with us. Then in the midst of the disappointing news, we hum again the promise of the most human God, “There is a song in the air! There is a star in the sky! There is a mother’s deep prayer and a baby’s low cry!”
Celebrate the season with a mask on. Express joy while we are distanced by “social distance.”
Let your inviting spirit announce our worship and Christmas Eve gathering (December 24 at 5:30 PM by zoom) to any and everyone. Be joyous and thankful. Be courageous and inspired. Pray for one another, “God with us.” The Son is given to us. Amen.
Blessings,
Cheol
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
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