Reminders of Christmas Joy & Peace

Do you still have that childlike joy of Christmas? Perhaps the realities of living in a broken, sinful world cloud out the joy we once had. Loved ones are no longer here. Mom or Dad has been diagnosed with cancer. Family sins have broken peace in your house. Wars and rumors of wars are broadcast on the news. Our own sins and failures weigh heavily upon us.

Such realities can drown out the joy of Christmas. On the other hand, they can show us what we really need this Christmas: a Savior. We need one who lived in this broken world, one who has overcome this world. We need one who went through death itself and who rose up from death. We need one who not only lived with no sin, but we need one who took our sins on himself. That is exactly who we have in Jesus, the Son of God.

This is part of what I love about teaching at FVL. Many of the students I teach have begun to see and live the painful realities of this fallen world. It often seems like that childlike joy is beginning to fade or has already gone. Here I get to remind students where the joy of Christmas can really be found—not in the passing joy of things, nor the fleeting excitement of the season, but rather in the person of Jesus. He is our Savior who came into this world to the shouting of angels and gave up his life to the taunting of his enemies. His joy and peace transcend both the excitement of this life and the agony of this world. This is the joy and peace that Christ brings this Christmas!

—Rev. Brad Krause FVL Religion Dept.