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This age-old Christmas message speaks so powerfully to our present times!
The economy has caused many to be fearful about the future. Maybe that includes you.
I’ll be honest; it has caused some fear at Lutherans For Life (LFL). Like most ministries these days, giving to LFL is down significantly. This comes at a time when we are working on an aggressive and exciting strategic plan—a positive, life-affirming, For Life vision for the future! So, we too live day to day in this tension between fear and excitement.
“Fear not!”
We all need to hear this very relevant message and the reason for it: “For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day … a Savior who is Christ the Lord” (2:10b-11).
“Fear not!” There is Good News!
The God whose love caused Him to become a tiny embryonic speck inside Mary’s womb, the God who was knit together in the womb and shaped and formed as a human being, the God who was laid in a manger, the God who was tempted as we are, the God who paid the awful bloody price for our redemption, the God who rose victoriously from the dead—this God will not forsake those for whom He demonstrated this kind of love.
“Fear not” the economy.
As a dear friend likes to say, “Calm down. God has plenty of money.” So our fears are lifted as we live day by day trusting in the provision of our God, our Savior in a manger. We pray He will remove your fears as well.
“Fear not!”
For others—maybe someone in your life right now—the economy is the farthest thing from their minds. Fear of an unknown future drives many young women to the abortion mills where daily 3,200 babies are sacrificed because of fear. Fear of suffering drives many people to feel it is compassionate to hasten death. Fear of not being forgiven drives many who have sinned against life to despair.
The powerful message of Christmas speaks to these issues of life as well!
To the pregnant young woman we say “fear not”! Jesus was born for you. He loves you and will give you strength. He will help you do what is best for you and your baby and He will support you through the loving arms of His people.
To those who are suffering we say ‘fear not”! Jesus was born for you. He knows about suffering. He knows about your suffering. He knows how the love of God works in suffering. He will be with you and care for you through His caring people.
To those who have sinned against life we say “fear not.” Jesus was born for you. He demonstrated His love for you and paid for your sins on the Cross. He comes to you even in the depths of your grief and guilt to lift you up into His merciful and forgiving arms.
“Fear not!”
Equipping Lutherans to apply this Christmas message to the life issues is exactly what LFL is about!
The message of Christmas changes hearts and lives. As I said, we are planning to share this message on a scale we never have before. People with changed hearts will influence and change society.
We will not fear the economy. After all, any old god can bless us during a good economy. We serve a God who works best in weakness and poverty, you know, like showing up in a manger!
I challenge you to “fear not” and be one of God’s instruments in blessing LFL with a generous financial gift so that together we can end our year in the black even in the midst of a down economy and, even more importantly, we can begin 2011 confidently sharing the message of Christmas and changing lives as never before!
On behalf of all the Life Team members here at the Life Center—Amy, George, Jeri, Katie, Kay, Kim, Lowell, and Trisha—I wish you and your family a blessed Christmas season and I pray this basic message of Christmas will uplift and sustain you! “Fear not!”
Your servant For Life,
Jim Lamb, Executive Director
P.S. Whether you are able to send a gift or not, please keep LFL in your prayers. Let us know you are praying for us. That would be a wonderful Christmas gift as well!
