Vol. 20 No. 51 | December 24, 2018
Christmas arrives this year amidst political unrest and upheaval never seen before: threats of a government shutdown, military withdrawals, and an economy that is described as being on a downward spiral similar to what we experienced a decade ago.
The weekend before Christmas was designated as “panic weekend” because it was too late for shoppers to order online and have their gifts delivered by Christmas. Shoppers were forced to flood the shops in a desperate attempt to find the perfect gifts for their loved ones.
On a less global scale, people are dealing with illness, death, unemployment, overcrowded calendars, frustrating travel disruptions, family tensions, struggling marriages, and failing relationships.
But with all of this around and within us, there also seems to exist an unusually strong sense of comfort and peace. We know that so much of what is happening is beyond our control. And we have faith that Someone greater than us is seeing and hearing the things that are troubling our hearts and meeting our needs at every turn, inviting us to stay near to Him.
So He offers us these words.
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”[i]
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [ii]
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.[iii]
From what we’ve read in the scriptures describing the era when Jesus was born, the world was also in turmoil…maybe more so (although that’s difficult to imagine). And then, into that world came the One who offered peace and rest to all who would come to Him and rely on Him.
That offer still stands.
May you and your loved ones enjoy a time of rest and peace inspired by the words of Immanuel.
God is with us.
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A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved
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[i] John 16:33, New International Version
[ii] Matthew 11:28-30, New International Version
[iii] Philippians 4:8-9, New International Version
The weekend before Christmas was designated as “panic weekend” because it was too late for shoppers to order online to have it delivered by Christmas. Thus, shoppers were expected to flood the marketplace in a desperate attempt to find the perfect gift.
On a less global scale people are dealing with illness, death, unemployment, overcrowded calendars, frustrating travel disruptions, family tensions, struggling marriages, and failed or failing relationships.
With all this swirling around and within us there also seems to exist an unusually strong sense of comfort and peace because we know that so much of what is happening is beyond our control, and that Someone greater than you or I is aware of what is going on, seeing and hearing the things that are troubling our hearts, meeting our needs at every turn, and inviting us to stay near to Him.
So, He offers us these words.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”[i]
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” [ii]
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.[iii]
When Jesus was born the world was also in turmoil…maybe more so than what we are experiencing today (although that is difficult to imagine). Into that world came the One who offered peace and rest to all who would come to Him.
That offer still stands.
May you and your loved ones enjoy a time of rest and peace that passes understanding because of Immanuel. God is with us.
____________
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When you order, please leave a review.
______________
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2018 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved
Subscribe @ A Norvell Note
[i] John 16:33, New International Version
[ii] Matthew 11:28-30, New International Version
[iii] Philippians 4:8-9, New International Version