From the Interim Bishop

Advent/Christmas message

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:4-7)

This Advent/Christmas season is filled with hope for the future. This hope is not centered in what we can do, but what God has done in sending his Son, Jesus, whose birth we celebrate again in this season. “THE LORD IS NEAR.”
It would be easy to slip into despair rather than hope. All one has to do is look around at this world, or in our communities, or in our lives. In spite of all the bad news which is despairing, to say the least, we can be hopeful because there is a word for all of us this season, “THE LORD IS NEAR.”

The burdens we carry are not shouldered by us alone. We may be incapable of self-producing hope. We are unable to maintain a constant joy. Our love falters and our faith may be weak. Listen and receive again this season the true gifts of Christmas. “THE LORD IS NEAR.”

Hope is a gift to you. Joy is a gift to you. Love is a gift to you. Eternal life is a gift to you. Where do all these beautiful gifts come from? They are from the one who has come and is coming again, Jesus our Savior and Lord. “THE LORD IS NEAR.”

Let us approach the manger this Christmas just as we are, and look and see once again, Jesus, the Son of God, Jesus our Savior and Lord. “THE LORD IS NEAR.”

“And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

Interim Bishop Glenn Nycklemoe