The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed. He has sent me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD’s favor has come, and with it, the day of God’s anger against their enemies.

      -Isaiah 61:1-2 (NLT)

      Tis the season to be merry & jolly. We illuminate our evenings with candles, festive lights and Christmas decorations. This is all because of the birth of Jesus some 2000 years ago. His nativity is the divine living with the mortal, which is celebration enough. Ah, but it’s more. Picture it, a freezing December night and you’re up in the mountains. The temperature plummets like 3 feet of snow sliding off the side of your roof. Dark trees, standing and fallen, encompass your vision. There’s plenty of wood to start a fire and secure it till daybreak – your survival depends on it, but there isn’t a flame or a spark to be found. With faith you pile the wood in the center of a vacant camp fire. It isn’t much to look at. It is, however, a fine time to pray, and much you do till a single streak of lightening catches hold of the lumber (as it lumbered . . . okay, too much? lol). Wood splinters fly in the deafening cataclysm. You’re knocked of your stump in the strange chaos & awaken to see a strong, glowing fire.

      We sing Silent Night in hushed voices, imagining the first moments of our Lord as He lay in a manger. At times, His entrance into this world is depicted in a quiet, subdued manor, but it is also like lone lightening on a cold winter night. He changes everything, being good news to the poor, comfort to the brokenhearted, freedom to the imprisoned, and joy to the mourner. The angles rightly sang “glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” when announcing His birth (Luke 2:14). We do well to pay close attention as He lights the way, providing warmth for

those long nights.

Merry Christmas from all of us at First Church of God,

Pastor Aaron Talbot