From the Pastor's Desk
December 23, 2022
Dear White Salmon Family,
I love this time of year because being with those we love is truly a blessing. I have so many memories of Christmases past. I remember being a kid, and what I looked forward to was the trips to see Grandma and Grandpa. I remember the wonderful skiing trips that I was fortunate to go on. Then when we had kids of our own, I remember our kids spending time together playing games, baking cookies, or watching a Christmas classic. But you know, it wasn’t the gifts I received that I remember, but the time with family, the joy in just being together. I love being a parent. Now our kids are grown and have children of their own, and we are making more memories together. I think I love being a grandparent even more! But I also know that, for some, the holidays are very lonely or a time when we miss those we love. The thing I love about God is that He gets it. Whatever you’re experiencing at this time in your life, He understands your emotions and circumstances and says, “You are never alone; I am with you always.”
As a parent I remember looking at my children and wondering what pain and suffer they may have to endure in life, knowing that there is one who seeks their destruction and mine as well. When they are young you can control things and do your best to protect them, but then they grow up and make decisions of their own. Then it is much more difficult to protect them from life. I know that many of you pray for your children every day. I can’t imagine what it must have been like for God the Father to watch His Son come to this world, knowing what His Son would have to face. Listen to this passage from The Desire of Ages:
“Satan in heaven had hated Christ for His position in the courts of God. He hated Him the more when he himself was dethroned. He hated Him who pledged Himself to redeem a race of sinners. Yet into the world where Satan claimed dominion God permitted His Son to come, a helpless babe, subject to the weakness of humanity. He permitted Him to meet life’s peril in common with every human soul, to fight the battle as every child of humanity must fight it, at the risk of failure and eternal loss.
“The heart of the human father yearns over his son. He looks into the face of his little child, and trembles at the thought of life’s peril. He longs to shield his dear one from Satan’s power, to hold him back from temptation and conflict. To meet a bitterer conflict and a more fearful risk, God gave His only begotten Son, that the path of life might be made sure for our little ones. 'Here in is Love.' Wonder, O heavens! And be astonished, O earth!” (DA 49)
Pam and I wish you all a wonderful experience with those you love this Christmas holiday. We pray that you remember the risk that Jesus and the Father took so that we might continue making memories with those we love. It is all about relationships. Our relationship with God and our relationship with each other. We wish for you this year to continue to experience the joy that comes from our relationship with Jesus.
From our house to yours, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year"!
Pastor Merrill and Pam Caviness
-
|