Hope And Blessings

 

The battle continues in Washington as it does every day.  2021 has been an extremely challenging year in our nation's capital and throughout much of the country.  We have struggled through another year of pandemic panic, economic malaise, partisan recriminations and all kinds of unfortunate records – record crime, record illegal immigration, record inflation, record spending, record drug overdoses, etc., etc.

 

But through all the acrimonious debates, as important as they are, no headline can turn our hearts away from the child whose birth we celebrate tomorrow.

 

When the Christ Child came into the world, his cry pierced the night and split all of human history in half. Over 2,000 years ago, a baby was born in order to die so that we could live.

 

I can't predict the outcome of the Washington wars, though I believe God would have me fight here as best as I can.  But I can safely predict that one day every head will bow and every knee will bend before the King of Kings. The final victory has been won.  All that is required of us is that we choose life.

 

While the focus of Christmas is, of course, Christ's birth in Bethlehem, I am reminded every year of Christmas's unique role in the birth of America. It was on Christmas night in 1776 that George Washington crossed the Delaware River in a daring surprise attack on the Hessian mercenaries.  

 

Washington's victory at the Battle of Trenton was a turning point in the American Revolution. Surely God was there. Take comfort, my friends, that the God of Abraham is with us still!

 

May each of you feel the presence and warmth of the Living Lord this season. As the anticipation of Christmas reaches a crescendo, may we not forget what defines the holiday -- the birth of Christ, God's gift to each of us, that whoever believes in Him shall have everlasting life.  

 

Merry Christmas!