We know “God is Good!

Pastor’s Pen for Sunday
December 26, 2021

Dear Church Family of God,

We know “God is Good! . . . .” And to prove it, your pastor, in your name “Saint Augustine”, with the generous help of many, many benefactors, was able to minister to over 2,500 people with a ‘Christmas’ gift for either food or clothing. The way things are now, we know that this a difficult time for many people, who are struggling not only physically and/or financially, but also spiritually or relationship wise.

While the gifts were mailed, I took the lists and prayed for these families that they experience peace, love, and togetherness, not only at this time for the year, but all year long. I prayed for those who are different, don’t exactly fit ‘our’ mold, and those who want and need to be a part of a family but for many reasons either don’t have one or feel they are permanently estranged.

Today, let us reflect on the Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. Luke 2:4 says, “Joseph [with Mary] went to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem”. It is interesting to watch the management of our sovereign God as He makes Bethlehem a crossroads of human history. First, He moves the Emperor of Rome to pass and edict which will result in Joseph’s return to his family’s hometown – and thereby, Jesus will be born there. Second, He moves the stars and planets to a unique convergence which will prompt a group of eastern courtiers to study this phenomenon in conjunction with ancient Scriptures and come to worship at Bethlehem. Finally, He arranges for a crowded inn, so that His Son, forced to a birth arrival in a stable, will never be accused of having been advantaged through “high” birth.

None of these things happened by accident. They were arranged, strategized, and executed by the God of the universe. And as we come back to Bethlehem with Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, this Christmas, it is our charge to ponder and consider these things. In doing so, remember that He’s equally interested in assuring the success of all things in our lives. Let us pray:

Jesus, our Redeemer and Savior, have mercy on us.

Mary, our Mother, pray for us.

Joseph, our earthly father, pray, protect, and provide for us.