Dear Friends,
I am going to ask you to stop reading this for now and turn to Luke 1 and read verses 26-38. Those verses will help to set the framework for what I want to write about this month. Now don’t cheat, it will only take a few minutes. I’ll wait.
At this time of year our thoughts turn to the birth of our Savior Jesus, the promise of God to a sinful world and the living proof of His love for each of us. The birth of a baby is truly a miracle of God’s creative power. But the birth of Jesus was even more amazing. Mary first thought that it was impossible. Much of the world today still believes that it was impossible. How can I have a baby, Mary asked, when I have not been with a man? The angel Gabriel tells Mary that the Holy Spirit will come upon her and the power of God will overshadow her. The baby born to you, Gabriel says, will be holy and will be called the Son of the Most High. Gabriel goes on to tell her about her childless cousin Elizabeth who is about to give birth as well. Then Gabriel reminds Mary and all of us as well, that “nothing is impossible with God.” I don’t know about you, but I need to be reminded of that truth often. Many times in my life I have come face to face with an obstacle that I knew was impossible, only to see God handle it with ease. As blessed as I am each and every time this happens, each of us are even more blessed by the impossible that God made possible in the life of a virgin named Mary. If Jesus had not been born of a virgin, the world would still be waiting for a Savior. Sin would have the final say and none of us would have any hope for the future. BUT………”nothing is impossible with God.” The angel announced to the shepherds as well as to us: “I bring you good news of great joy for everyone. The Savior, the Messiah, the Lord….has been born to you in Bethlehem, the city of David.”
May that “good news” fill your life this Christmas and may its joy overflow into the lives of those around you.

Yours in Christ ,
almost retired again,

Pastor Crane