Fields United Methodist Church

Side by Side with Jesus.                                                  Pastor Tom Joyce

December 2, 2020

“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.”

Isaiah 7:14

His name will be “Immanuel,” or “God is with us.” As this is written, I am looking outside and watching the snow continue to fall and the accumulation of snow rise. This is the season for many things, including snow. In the deafening silence of a snow storm, God is.  In the midst of our journey through the season of pandemic, God is. And through political and social meanderings, God is. When God came to us and now abides within us, we are offered hope that in every part of our journey there is God, through Jesus, walking side by side with us, and dwelling within us. Life can be hard there is no doubt; we may be sick or caring for someone who is sick; we may be struggling financially, emotionally, or maybe just tired of all the changes that are required of us through this time. Yet there is still God; God is with us, and that is the amazing news of the amazing grace of God that is offering a different way to live and view all life.  Maybe the season of Advent is about learning how to live following the One who created you, redeemed you, and empowered you to see all life as precious in God’s sight; to see beauty in the storm and strength to overcome all the storms of life. This is the time to celebrate the gift of salvation offered to you today. God is with you, and that is a promise from God. Several years ago, there was a saying that was bantered around, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” which is true. But let’s go one step further, “Jesus IS the season.” God IS with us through this life and the life to come through Jesus. When Jesus was born, the whole world was offered “Immanuel.” But like any gift, it needs to be opened to celebrate its contents. This Advent season, accept a whole new and wonderful way to look at life, to see the glory of God in all creation, and to witness the amazing grace of our incredible Savior to a world that needs Jesus more than any time in history.  The sign of the gift of eternal life is written with boldness in the snow that falls, the sun that shines, and life that is lived; God is with you now, even to the end of the age.

Rev. Tom Joyce