“In His Presence” 

Dear Faith Family, 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, (John 1:14). 

I remember when…when my parents rented a cabin on Lake Murray at the State Park for Christmas…when our families were all together under one roof.  When it was cold outside...when we drove down from Ridgeway with a truck load of firewood, dad’s Christmas present...when the power went out (translated: the heater was not working)...when it was no longer cold outside only…when we lit up the fireplace to keep warm…when we burned dad’s Christmas present in the cabin’s fireplace. 

What made that memory so, well, memorable?  Was it the cabin?  Yes.  Was it the cold?  Yes.  Was it the power outage?  Yes.  Was it the firewood and the fire?  Yes.  But it was more than that.  It was together.  It was the joy of doing life together. 

Isn’t that the reality of Christmas?!  Jesus came and pitched His tent among the likes of us.  What was He doing here?  He was dwelling among us!  Why?  He took up residence with us that ultimately we might have relationship with Him!  Listen in as He talked with His Father: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me, (John 17:20, 21). 

Are you doing life together with Jesus?  Think about the overwhelming reality of life together with the living God!  He bids us entrance into the very holy of holies together with Him!  You, in Christ, are His child.  Listen to His Word to you.  Talk to Him without ceasing!  Honor His presence around the table, around the tree, while shopping, at Chic-Fil-A, at the auto repair shop, and even at the Post Office.  No, He’s not too busy to hear about every detail of your day.  Rather, He delights in conversing with you!  Wow!  Just wow! 

May this Christmas and this whole year be a memory worth remembering because you lived in His presence every day. 

Merry Christmas, 
Pastor Karl