JOY TO THE WORLD

Dear Friends in Christ,

What do you wish for this coming Christmas? What would be the one, the very one best gift to bring joy and delight. To fill your heart with sheer gladness? Or, what are you buying this year? The stores are filled with everything imaginable; we are bombarded with ads telling us what we need to buy to bring happiness to others.

What is the gift? What will you buy?  Closely related - we often ask  what do I really need this year? For many this will not be an item or a present. Some have almost every thing they could ever use. Yet, for many others there is still an emptiness and a need. Dreams and hopes yet to be realized, of times gone by, loved ones missed, dear ones close to the heart, but far, far, away in time and space.

This year, at this most holy time, we are reminded of our greatest gift, the best present, the gift that fills us with peace and contentment, bringing true meaning to each and everyone. A gift that soothes our troubled and anxious hearts, a gift when opened that will bring rest to our souls, hope for tomorrow, and freedom from the daily weight that we carry. A gift that when opened allows us to breathe a little easier, a gift that tells us that yes, all will be well.

This year I invite you to receive a gift, perhaps best of all. The most precious, and most holy of presents.

When the Loving and Gracious Lord, who created you, formed you, loved you from the beginning, reaches down at this time, enters your world and says: I LOVE YOU. I ACCEPT YOU. I FORGIVE YOU. I CARE FOR YOU BEYOND YOUR WILDEST DREAMS. I WAS THERE AT YOUR START, I WILL BE THERE AT YOUR END. ALL WILL BE MADE RIGHT. ALL WILL BE HEALED. ALL WILL BE COMPLETE.

Friends, is this not the best gift, to fulfill the greatest need? Please open this gift on Christmas; wait, perhaps open this gift each and every day. Let this gift be to you as grace, grace to wash and clean and restore you. Let this gift be to you hope, knowing that at the end of our long journey we will be met with Love. Yes, at the end of our long journey, we will be met with Love.

Thank you, thank you Lord, for this year our gift, our very best gift ... is you.

Amen,

Father Lance Robbins
Rector,  Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd
Head Shepherd,  SAM's Lambs Singles Ministry
More from Father Lance - "The Rev Says"

Remember His Command:    Love one another as I have loved you