Pastor Galen's Thoughts
'Tis the Christmas season.
There is one of the Scriptural accounts of the birth of Jesus that we can find in the gospel of Luke. We find
the signficance of the word "joy" about halfway through the narration of that moment in time. The angels
were hovering over the shepherds and reminding them to be not afraid, but to have great joy.
The world cannot offer lasting peace and joy. Only God can.
We are robbed of joy in our lives when we consider the outward things and circumstances of life. We look at
our health and feel saddened by disease or age. We might look at our finances and be overwhelmed and
discouraged. We may even think about relationships and how we feel neglected or unwanted by some. But
those are outward issues that the world considers the measure of joy.
Then, there are the inward feelings to consider. We look at others with the eye of comparison, and we find
envy and jealousy arising within us. We may feel undone in issues of character within, as we are not who we
want to be. We also may consider our sinful nature and know our mortal corruption. Then, we might also
sense that we have a counterfeit faith, one in which we hopeless and lost. These are all the inward signs
that rob us of joy.
But there is hope through an amazing God who loves us. We find eternal peace and satisfaction and joy
through salvation in Jesus Christ. That is what the Christmas story is all about. It's about a God who comes
to us through his son Jesus to redeem a world which knows no joy. It is about that story and our belief in
the God of the ages. That is faith. And faith calls us to be part of God's famiy forever.
Are you a part of God's great family? I hope so. If not, trust Jesus today and find favor in his sight.