WELCOME
ETERNAL HANDS @ CHRISTMAS
‘The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say destroy them.' (Deut 33:27)
For many who have had really rough times through 2011, the cheering message of Christmas may be difficult to receive. The same may also hold for those who are distressed by the unpleasant news and events around the world. Is there any reason to expect a merry Christmas or to have hope for happiness in the New Year?
At some very difficult point in the life of Martin Luther, he made the remark following: ‘Recently I have been looking up at the night sky, spangled and studded with stars, and I found no pillars to hold them up. Yet they did not fall.’ The truth is that God’s hands are the pillars holding the sky and Luther was encouraged as he reminded himself that the same unseen hands of God who is upholding the universe was caring for him. Even so, God is in control of all the affairs of the universe and our Christmas will be merry and bright because of HIM; He is the reason for the season!
There is the tendency to be afraid and discouraged on account of issues such as armed conflicts around the world, the Eurozone and other global financial crises, and other such matters. But we can find courage in the fact that the eternal God is our refuge, strong tower and shelter in the time of storm.
We can therefore look forward to the upcoming year with great hope and expectations because His everlasting hands will lead us to pastures green and pleasant. It is therefore with confidence that we prophecy the blessings of Christmas and a glorious 2012 to all our parishioners and readers. It is well!!
Pastors Marcus & Norah Chilaka
(Parish Pastors)