'Twas the Night Before Christmas" (December 2020

‘Twas the night before Christmas and

soon 2021 will appear, everyone

acknowledges it’s been a heck of a year

Masks just worn to rest are laid, to be used

for yet another day

Hospitals still crowded, and people

continue to die, while others refuse to

wear masks, because it is all about I

Children and adults lying in their beds,

while visions of vaccines dance in their

heads

Social injustice, and racism hit the news,

while many are not willing to walk in one’s

shoes

Political banter, is as thick as a knife, and

the divisions grow deeper as each side

declares they are right

Election day has come and gone, while at

this very moment it is being prolonged

The fear and worry that we experience

late in the night, follows us in the morning

without an invite

It is in the night where I toss and turn,

though I am reminded of the gospel story

that I must relearn

While the future is unknown and all I have

is today, the Scriptures keep telling me that

I will be okay

From the manger to the cross I can still ring

in a New Year, though what is happening

around me- I want it to disappear

God sending His Son is more than a tale,

but it is the everlasting story that will prevail

No more guilt, death, unforgiveness or

shame- because I have confessed my sins

by name

As I lie in my bed waiting for the morning

to arrive, thank God I am free because

Jesus is alive!

Pastor Rich Edwards

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what the LORD had said through the prophet: "The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us"). Matthew 1:21-23

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.’ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’ So, they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. Luke 2:8-20