December Pastor’s Pen

 December 3, 2016
Posted by Admin

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The Christmas story, recorded in Matthew and Luke, has become so familiar that I wonder if we grasp the reality of what actually happened: An angel told a young virgin that she would conceive a child by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:26-38). The angel then told her fiance to marry her and name the baby Jesus, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Shepherds saw angels and were told of a Savior’s birth in Bethlehem. Wise Men traveled hundreds of miles to worship the One who, they said, “has  been born King of the Jews” (Luke 2:2).  Simply amazing!

Equally astonishing is that Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise men did exactly as they had been told. Mary yielded herself to God; Joseph took her as his wife; the Shepherds went to Bethlehem to find the baby in a manger; and Wise Men followed the star. With no idea of the outcome they all took the next step by faith in the Lord. Amazing!

One of my favorite prayers used when serving as a missionary with the Church might be familiar you to you.  It reads,

“Lord God, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage not knowing where we go, but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us; through Jesus Christ our Lord”. 

I love this prayer because it testifies to our total trust and leading of our Lord. It is simply amazing that Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Wise Men trusted God and his messengers. For you see, to follow the leading of God, to step out in faith and obey, is always the path we should take whenever we can’t see the way.

How is it with us this Christmas? Will we trust God and follow his leading even when we face uncertainty and overwhelming circumstances? May we as God’s people serving him and  our neighbors continue to walk in a faith that never knows where it is being led, but loves and knows the One who is leading.

Advent and Christmas Blessings,

Pastor Steve