Christmas Greetings

 Dear Friends,                                                                                                 


Alas, the Christmas season has come around again.  We are thankful to say Dorothy and I are in good health for our 88 years and have comfortable living conditions in our retirement center.  Due to Covid-19, the rules insisting upon the isolation for everyone here are very strict, but in our old age we are fairly content to stay put (and take long naps!). 


One of the remarkable aspects of the truly Christian life is that one can know joy and peace in all circumstances.  We are living during difficult times the world over, and our hearts ache for all who are suffering.  One may think of the many Biblical warnings concerning the coming tribulation.  To have faith is to know that all events and disasters beckon people to turn to Him; people  without Him are indeed bereft. 


But at this Christmas let us catch a fresh vision of our God as a God of unlimited love.  Christ came and endured unspeakable suffering to bring mankind to himself, and the call is loud and clear that whosoever will may turn to Him.  He is in full control and will bring all things to a triumphant conclusion.

 

Back when I was teaching literature, I used to muse upon some of lines from Browning:

 

                                       Grow old along with me,

                                        The best is yet to be,

         The last of life, for which the first was made.

                                        Our times are in His hands,

                                        Who saith: “a whole I planned,

                                  Trust God, see all, nor be afraid.”


There is much truth in these words, but I want to add some from a more sobering  meditation of George Herbert’s in which he addresses Time and muses:

               Thou art a gard’ner now, and more, 

               An usher to convey our souls 

                   Beyond the utmost stars and poles.  


              And this is that makes life so long,

      While it detains us from our God 

             Ev’n pleasures here increase the wrong,

             And length of days lengthen the rod.

            Who [lacks] the place, where God doth dwell

                  Partakes already half of hell.  


Join with me in thanking God for our blessed hope and the anticipation of His appearing.




Comments

Pat C said…
What a wonderful greeting! Thank you so much for all that you do! May you and Dorothy have a Blessed and Merry Christmas, and may Our Lord soon bring us all together again!
December 23, 2020 at 11:25 AM
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