December 23, 2008
“The Christmas Message”
IDear Friend,
Christmas seems to have a different feeling to me from year to year. This year I sense a certain apprehensiveness, or perhaps uncertainty. No doubt the economy has touched our thoughts in this season and created a cloud of uncertainty about the coming year. If you feel this uncertainty or fear, the Christmas message is just what you need to hear.
Matthew 1:20 reveals that Joseph felt a certain apprehensiveness himself about his relationship to Mary and his future. God encouraged him with three simple words, Do not fear.
Faith in Christ this Christmas will not change the economy, but it may change our capacity to confront the challenges of life both thoughtfully and courageously. Perhaps the message Do not fear can be obeyed in three ways:
- 1. Better Planning – Good plans have a way of displacing fear.
- 2. Better Relationships – Difficult times are always easier to endure when our relationships with family and friends are healthy.
- 3. Better Faith – Faith in Christ empowers us to attempt the right things and gives us a better set of values and priorities.
So this Christmas, let us add to the seasonal Merry Christmas greeting, the Lord’s message to Joseph, Do not fear.
Doc
Dr. Dave Collings
Lead Pastor
Christ Church
