Christmas is the Antidote for our Fears
Bishop Trimble shares his Christmas message in a short video celebrating the season of Advent and the coming year. Watch the video here.
As we continue on the road to Christmas, my family and I are praying for you and your loved ones to experience the anticipation and joy of these coming days. The season of Advent has many wonders as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus. And as we prepare to remember the birth of the Christ Child during Advent, we are also called to remember the children around us, those whom we have nurtured, as well as those who are without a loving home. May we also remember those who will spend the holidays without family or friends but find care in the community and fellowship of The Church.
I also pray for those who, like me, will mourn during this holy season because a chair will be empty and a Christmas stocking left unfilled as a loved one is no longer with us to sing “Joy to the World.”
In these moments I find myself meditating on these words, “do not be afraid.” It is incredible how many times God speaks grace to the world with these words. And maybe we need to hear it just one more time to be reminded that God sent us a Savior; the one to be called Emmanuel, the Prince of Peace, and the antidote for our fears. However, I am not suggesting that our response as faithful believers in Jesus requires nothing of us. In fact, I am declaring that the Bible is clear; the child who came to change everything is Jesus Christ, born in the City of David!
However, every year, Oprah Winfrey shares her annual “Favorite Things” list at Christmastime, in which she features her favorite items for the year and then proceeds to share those items with her audience. Most of the items can easily be described as luxuries and one year she even gave everyone in her studio audience a car.
As Children of the Heavenly Father, we are gifted with something far more valuable than any luxury good, or even a car that depreciates, on any holiday shopping favorites list.
The gift that God gives, which we have received, does not depreciate. In fact, the older I get the more I appreciate the reality of having a Savior who says in numerous and varied ways, as my wife often says, “I got this.”
God says “I got this,” whether you are faced with pain, heartbreak; life-threatening or altering illness, questions, failure, uncertainty; trials and temptations; judgment or joy; life and death; today or tomorrow.
God says, “I’ve got this. Do not be afraid.”
I plan to do some singing this Christmas. I also plan to do some laughing as well. And I am looking forward to joining together with my family for our annual Christmas meal and to share stories we’ve gathered throughout the year.
I also would like to invite you to join me in praying this Christmas season. No complaining, no criticism of those bad drivers on the road (it might be me, sorry in advance). This coming year, I am committed to creating a better world for tomorrow and generations to follow.
In the words of German pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “the ultimate test of a moral society is the kind of world that it leaves to its children.”
Because of God and you, I am not afraid!
And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. – Luke 2:10-11 (ESV)
I wish you a Merry Christmas and a joy-filled new year in the name of Christ our Lord.
Be encouraged,
Bishop Julius C. Trimble and First Lady Racelder Grandberry-Trimble