A Story of Epic Proportions!

As we have have examined the Christmas story the past two Sundays, we see a story that is epic in its proportions but personal in its application to our lives.

For most of us we will be spending a comfortable Christmas with family and friends. It is easy in this familiar setting to allow our family traditions and the busyness of the season to crowd out of our hearts the significance of the holiday.

This past Sunday I read part of an email sent to us by Terry, one of our youth that is now serving in a very dangerous part of Afghanistan. Terry has a wife and a daughter at home. He has missed a number of holidays and birthdays with his family to sacrificially serve his nation, our nation. He will miss Christmas this year. In his email, Terry made a very interesting observation that I think is worth repeating...

"I've been praying here, and though sometimes it is hard to understand why certain things happen, we must remember that we aren't making the path ahead, we are merely being given the chance to follow the footsteps that God Himself has left for us to follow."

A good truth for us to remember this Christmas season. God the Father sent His Son to earth in the form of a baby boy who would become the Savior of all mankind. Jesus Christ would live a sinless life leaving footprints behind for us to follow. As Terry said, we "aren't making the path ahead," Jesus Christ has already done that for us. He came as a child, lived as a man, died as the Savior of the World, and lives again so you and I can also have the hope of life after death.

This is a good season to remember the child born in a manger who has brought us this hope of eternal life. Pray for Terry and other young men and women who are serving in our military. At the same time remember how much God has blessed you and given to you in the form of the Christ-child.

Have a wonderful and Merry Christmas,
Pastor Gary and the COTRM Staff