This Christmas due to all the painful realities in 2020 about the world we live in we need a Silent Night and a Holy Night a spiritual awakening. Last Sunday at Church of the Harvest in Olathe, Ks, Pastor Charity talked about how we have gone through life wearing rose-colored glasses and in 2020 we had to take off our rose-colored glasses about the reality of what is going on in the world today. During her message she wore rose-colored glasses. As she took off her glasses mid-sermon with the bright stage lights, reality set squinting in the glare of the light was painful.
As a biblical counselor, this past year I have supported so many clients who have had to remove their rose-colored glasses and it has been filled with anxiety, depression, anger and being overwhelmed. Loss of love ones, family and friends being apart, and children having their normal childhood experiences being shattered. Stories of love one’s dying in nursing homes and hospitals without the benefit of being surrounded by family and friends.
Is there any good news in the midst of crisis? Pastor Charity message of rose-colored glasses was not a negative message it was one that was meant to create hope. One might say hope, hope in what? The world is falling apart.
The silent night and holy night of Jesus’ birth was good news for us. Jesus came to bring hope into a broken and shattered world. It was a promise that God gave us that He would send a Savior in the world that we should have hope. The prophet Isaiah spoke 700 years before the birth of Christ of the coming of the birth of a savior Isaiah 7:14 says: “The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and will bear a son, and she will call his name Immanuel.” Immanuel – God with us. Even though we don’t understand 2020 we can have a promise that God sent His Son into the world for moments like this. The good news? God is with us and will walk us through even the difficult times that we don’t understand. Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a tested help in times of trouble. And so, we need not fear even if the world blows up and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam; let the mountains tremble!” God is with us!
Cyndie and I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and in spite of all the difficulties we pray “Immanuel” may God be with you during this season and in the upcoming years. Blessings.