Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                                               Pastor Tom Joyce

November 30, 2020

“For a child has been born for us, a son is given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  Isaiah 9:6

Handel’s “Messiah” has a stirring movement, “For Unto Us a Child is Born;” every time I hear this sung I feel the incredible joy of knowing that God so loved the world “that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him may not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) The season of Christmas celebrates when God gave us the gift of salvation through the birth of Jesus, the “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Because of the gift of Jesus’ birth, our Lord truly walks by our side, and most of the time carries us through the twists and turns of life. Imagine God considering what gift we should receive? It would be a gift not on our gift list or registry, not something we feel we deserve, but rather something we need more than anything else in all creation; Jesus. God’s Son has been given to us, not to be used but to be accepted. God knows we deserve nothing from God but by God’s grace it is “given to us.”  This season of pandemic has changed much of our lives, and has impacted many lives in very negative ways. Yet in the midst of a pandemic God still is, and always will be with us; that is a promise from God fulfilled by the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.  When we accept the gift of Jesus, we put aside all those things that keep us away from hope fulfilled like bitterness, envy, and hatred. Maybe this Christmas God is clearing a way for you to experience Jesus as you never had experienced Jesus. It is time to see Jesus all over again in a new way, becoming one of us, to guide us as a counselor, protect us as a mighty God, open the doors of salvation as everlasting Father, and offering us the peace of knowing that no matter the journey, we are never alone. The gift of Christmas is available to you right now, this very second, for “unto us a son is given,” and that son is the Light of the World. No need to wait until Christmas to unwrap this gift; it is ready for you to open and accept right now, this very minute.

Rev. Tom Joyce