The virus continues to plague (afflict, trouble) our nation and the world. So many families have had to deal with the loss of loved ones cause by the virus and hearts are so heavy for them. It so important that we stand with them in prayer and the ministry of support during these very trying days. While we are all thankful for what appears to be a vaccine that will give us hope for victory we know for some it will come to late.
Yet in the midst of the pandemic we all being reminded that it is the holiday season and that now is the time to buy and get ready to celebrate the Christmas season. There seems to be a real paradox (irony, inconsistency, contradiction) about all this push to buy, and celebrate, when we are in the midst of such a pandemic and so many are dealing with broken hearts. Perhaps we need to all remember what this season is really about. It’s an old saying, yet, it is a vital truth to remember, “JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON”.
In the midst of so much uncertainty may we all remember the words of Isaiah 7:14, “Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call is name Immanuel.” We must celebrate this truth that is not influence by a pandemic, economic declines, political uncertainties or world conflicts. The joy of Isaiah’s statement is found in the name of the child, ‘Immanuel’. In Matthew 1:23 we are given the meaning of the name ‘Immanuel, or Emmanuel’ , “which being interpreted is, GOD WITH US.”
The fact that God sent His Son, Jesus, is a testimony that God desires to be with us. Sin separated us from God but God loved man so much that He sent His Son to pay sins debt so that the separation would be removed and all hostilities would reconciled in the person of Jesus Christ. So Jesus is the person in whom “God with us” becomes a reality! How can we possibly celebrate Christmas if we do not know, personally, the joy of “God with us” in the person of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Jesus reminded us that the only way to know the Father was by Him, “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
How can we deal with all that is going on? Do we look for political answers, in either party, do we look to experts, in fields of science, medicine, economics, psychology, and research. I say to all of us that the most important truth to know in times like these is this, “Immanuel, God with us”.
SEE YOU SOON – BRO. ED