Pastor's Blog: Good News for Dark Days
|
Did you hear the good news that it appears that the current spike in coronavirus cases won’t keep Santa from making his appointed rounds this Christmas season? That’s right; according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease and the nation’s leading expert on COVID-19, old Saint Nick possesses some immunity to the disease, which will allow him to proceed with his yuletide excursion around the globe, spreading Christmas cheer to folk young and old.
I had to chuckle to myself when I read the story. Of all the things weighing on my mind, worrying about Santa showing up at the Dortch house wasn’t anywhere on the list. But as I read the story, I was reminded how there are many today who are in fact beside themselves over whether Santa will show up, and Dr. Fauci’s assurances will help them rest easier, beginning now and all the way to Christmas Day.
I filed the story under the tab “We’ll take any good news any place we can get it.” After all, there really hasn’t been much good news as of late. Our nation is as divided as ever. Countless Americans are concerned over how much longer they can hold out financially. And of course, the COVID vaccine can’t get here soon enough, though there are many who aren’t certain that they’ll take it when it does. The needs people today face will be more than Santa can stuff into a Christmas stocking.
That is why this present hour is ripe for the church’s witness to that good news that actually constitutes “the reason for the season.” In the face of life’s challenges, we hold the answer to the deep questions that most vex the human spirit. “How can folk who see life differently ever come together?” “Is there a way for me to find value and purpose to my life beyond what I might accumulate?” “If my health goes totally south and I find myself clinging to life, what will my future be?” The good news of Christmas assures us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, who has broken down the dividing wall of hostility between us (Eph. 2:14). Jesus calls those who are poor “blessed” and tells them that “theirs is the Kingdom of God” (Luke 6:20). Jesus is the Resurrection and the Life and those who believe in him will never die (John 11:26). There is no question, no concern, or no difficulty for which Jesus is not the answer.
So, as we move ahead into the season of Advent, in which obedient souls wait patiently in the face of the looming darkness, let us lift our hearts in the assurance that our redemption is ever drawing near and let us lift our voices in glad praise so that all the world may draw near to the Coming Messiah. For God so loved the world that He sent His Only Begotten Son. God has not given up on us. Regardless of what comes our way neither should we give up on Him.
“Fear not: for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).