His Light Still Shines in the Darkness!
We wish you and your family a Christ-centered Christmas and a blessed New Year!
Last year, at this time, none of us had the slightest idea of what 2020 had in store for us. There is hardly a person unimpacted in some way or the other by Covid-19.
The year 2020 has been one of the most challenging years that most of you and I have ever experienced. Things we took for granted, like attending church, meeting friends and family, going about our daily duties, were suddenly stopped. Schools were closed, jobs lost, trips canceled. Added to that were the fires, hurricanes, floods, protests, and riots. Even during traditional celebrations – be it birthdays, anniversaries, graduation ceremonies, and celebrating Easter and Thanksgiving, we’ve had a shadow continuously over us. Some of those I know have lost loved ones to Covid-19. In some cases, they have not had the opportunity to celebrate their loved ones’ lives at a memorial service to bring closure to the loss they experienced.
As Christmas draws near this year, the shadow still hangs over us, and it can be discouraging. At this time, I am reminded about the first Christmas when our Lord was born in Bethlehem. Israel was under the yolk of Roman occupation. There had been centuries of silence after the last prophet had spoken, with symbolic darkness all around. A young couple traveled in the last month of pregnancy to fulfill – of all things – a mandate to get registered in their hometown because the Roman emperor had commanded it. With no modern-day options to book a room online or fall back on an Airbnb reservation, the couple ended up desperately going from inn to inn looking for a place for the mother to have her baby. There was not even in a simple room; the baby was born in a smelly and lowly stable!
Was God the Father caught off guard or surprised that all these things happened just when Mary was due to have her baby? Did He not know that ALL these things would come together to make it very difficult for Joseph to be able to provide the essential comforts that his pregnant wife needed and deserved?
God, our Father, is not surprised by what is happening in our lives right now. He who controls ALL things is still on the throne and knows what we are going through. He knows our future and holds it securely in His hands. We will trust Him and rejoice in Him as we celebrate the anniversary of the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His light still shines in the darkness, and the darkness cannot put it out, no matter how hard it tries!
God’s word says: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” John 1:5 (NIV).
Thank you for being a partner with us in sharing the Good News of who the Lord Jesus is with a world that sits in the darkness, often unaware of how close salvation is.
May His light continue to shine on you and your family.
