Christ is with us!

It has been a wonderful Advent and Christmas season. I feel blessed by so many incredible worship services and meaningful moments with family and friends. I loved seeing the excitement in my children as they sang Christmas songs, learned their lines for the Christmas play, and opened all their presents. I certainly felt blessed.

As a pastor, I love working to create these moments, but in the end, I am unable to create joy in someone else. I can share the Good News. I can offer opportunities for people to hear the Good News, but I can't force someone to receive the God's promise or be filled with joy. Each person has to leave room for Christ. We have to decide if we are going to continue carrying the burdens of the world or if we are going to trust in an ancient promise. 

Sometimes I think adults get too lost in the cares of this world. Anyone can be defeated by their problems. There are so many difficulties we face everyday. Sometimes even the smallest things can weigh on us. Children, on the other hand, often have the ability to let go. They can trust in a good promise, and they can live in the moment. 

I hope we can all learn to trust that God is with us. I loved watching each of my boys discover that this year. Even my youngest, who doesn't understand any Biblical teaching, is learning to trust that he is not alone. 

Today let us leave room for the love God offers. Let's let go of the fear that holds us back and trust in the wonderful promise that we are always loved.

Blessings!

Brian Ward

Joy is with us

This weekend we will light the third candle on our Advent wreath, this is often referred to as the candle of joy. If you follow the Advent tradition, you may notice that this is a pink candle. Joy is something that we notice. It stands out from the other weeks.

I really like this tradition, because it shows us that joy can be revealed before we see the baby born in a manger. You don't have to light all five candle to find joy. Joy is experienced along the way, though faith. This is true in our world as well. We don't always get to see the ending. We don't know where the ups and downs of life are going to take us, but it is possible to find joy along the way.

Are you able to feel God's Joy in your life?

I have sat with a number of people in the hospital recently. Some were in pain. Others were grieving, but everyone of them was going to face a difficult season. It is so hard when a part of us is missing. Perhaps we are missing a loved one, or we may feel like something is missing in our own hearts. Whatever is going on, Christ's message is the same: "I am with you always."

Throughout the Christmas season we hear God promise that Christ is with us. We may feel insignificant. We may feel broken beyond repair. However, God never abandons or forsakes us. We are each loved beyond what we can comprehend. I think our goal is to try and live by faith. If we can trust that we are not alone, we can also discover joy. 

Today you may be hurting or lost. That is okay. God is still with you. You may feel like you have pushed God away or rejected God's goodness somehow. That's also okay. God is not going to give up on you. We are all loved. If we can take one step toward God in faith, I believe we can start to discover the joy that God has already prepared for us. 

Blessings,

Brian Ward