As the calendar turns to December 2020, we live in a world we have never known, journeying an unknown highway, doubtful, uncertain. Do you feel the disconnect? To celebrate the themes that customarily surface during the Christmas season — love and joy, peace and hope, we must come to grips with the contrast reality that surrounds us. Before we can experience the hope that springs forth with the beginning of a New Year, we must talk about what happens when hope is gone. Peace becomes a double blessing when we recognize how desperately we need it in a world of turmoil. Hope is more hopeful when we recognize the hopelessness experienced my many. Rejoicing struggles to resound when loss and grief are the reality for many. John writes that perfect love casts out fear. Honesty demands that we acknowledge this truth — carols of God’s love are hard to hear when fear rules in many hearts.
We can deny fear, but few have never experienced its grip. Can we see ourselves, analyze ourselves? What do we fear? Why are we fearful? We all have fears — things we avoid thinking about, things we can’t stop thinking about, things that bring unbidden tears at the mere thought.
In this season, I want to shout from the housetops that the Christmas story answers our worst fears. The Christmas story can fill us and refill us — with love and joy, peace and hope. Immanuel has come — Christ is with us through it all.
The story of Jesus, beginning with his birth, climaxed by his death and resurrection, buoys my spirit. The story of Jesus helps me in my struggles, encourages me in my search for love and joy, peace and hope. Jesus can make everything new. In this season of peace and joy, I encourage you to sort out the fears of your heart. May revived faith conquer the fears and firmly secure you in Christ.