A Note From Our Pastors

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.  Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.  This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

 “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

 Luke 2:8 - 14

I love the song the angels sing to the shepherds!  It is short and sweet and so full of hope and good news.

They sing to shepherds and us about a peace that only the birth of our Savior could possibly bring.  A peace that draws us into the heart of our Father.  A peace that is found in the forgiveness of all of our sins.  A peace that is our anchor in a stormy world.  A peace that is given us in the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

The angels also sing about the favor of God resting on us.  You may wonder if the favor of God is for you.  Let me answer that for you.  You can know that the favor of the Father is yours because Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead, and He did that for you.  The birth of Jesus is where God’s favor breaks into your life, but don’t just take it from me, listen to the angels!

Let me close with a Christmas prayer for you.

Father thank you for the peace that is ours in Jesus.  By the power of your Holy Spirit, send that peace to the places in our lives that are in desperate need of it.  Bring the peace of Christ to the anxious, the grieving, the hurting and afraid.  Let the words of the angels ring in our ears and in our hearts, “a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Christmas peace!

Kevin and Marty