MONDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2007

THE EVE OF CHRISTMAS

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Dear Friends in Our Lord Jesus:

A television reporter once asked a group of school children to list their greatest fears. And the top three -- to no one’s surprise -- were loneliness, darkness, and dying. Also receiving votes were snakes, spiders, scorpions, lizards, and the traditional favorite, monsters.

To everyone who has ever shared these fears (and that includes all of us), here is great news for Christmas: The enduring message of this holy season is that ALL of our fears -- every last one of them, including monsters -- have been defeated for all of eternity by our gracious, loving God. Quite simply, the birth of the Lord Jesus in the darkness, loneliness, and isolation of that humble cave outside the little town of Bethlehem marked the beginning of the greatest story on earth. The story of God’s miraculous love for all of His children. Our Lord went to incredible lengths to show us the full extent of His love, a love that is without question the most powerful force in the universe. In the face of God’s love, no fear, no darkness, no monster can stand.

And as we gather to celebrate this holy birth, let us look around at the heavenly things we find right before us:

* First, we find the event that changed the course of human history -- the birth of Emmanuel, “God with us,” the anointed One of God. The great prophet Isaiah, writing some 700 years earlier, knew the Messiah was coming but did not know His name. So he called Him “wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of peace.”

* Second, we find good news that transforms our lives -- the definitive entrance of our Creator into His own creation, God Himself taking human flesh and coming among us. And in His life, we can discover new life for ourselves.

* And, third, we find the experience of the real presence of God -- His very Being, His Power, His authority, His love, right here with us. And in His touch, we can find healing, wholeness, meaning and purpose for our lives.

This day we are standing on holy ground. Let us cast aside our fears and draw near to the Holy One of God. Come! Let us adore Him!

-- The Very Rev. Dr. Steve Sellers +