Pastor's Perspective: Don’t let COVID-19 keep you from celebrating Christmas

The coronavirus has changed our lives and the way we live them.  I don’t have to remind you of all the ways that our lives have been altered and adjusted during 00.  And this year is not over yet! Just like everything else, Christmas will be different for all of us this year.   At our church, we normally have a Children’s Program, an Adult Choir Pageant, a church-wide Christmas party, and each class has a get together with gift exchanges or "dirty Santa." All of those things have been canceled for this year. We hope to just be able to continue to meet on Sunday mornings for worship!   And most family gatherings will probably look different this year, if they are even held. Because of factors like travel complications and susceptible family members, there will be plenty of rethinking plans and, possibly, canceling them altogether, adding more anguish to a period already filled with immense stress.  And even if you make tentative plans, be mindful that your situation could also change suddenly. Whether it’s a positive test or an onset of symptoms for either you or your family, it’s possible that even the best-made plans might go sideways at the last minute.  One thing to be mindful of as you make, and possibly change, plans, is the fact that everyone is emotionally exhausted, if not physically sick over COVID-19. We’re all tired of it! But it’s still here and will probably be hanging around well into 01.   So be mindful of how others feel and understand that many family members and others may have very thin emotions right now. Be encouraging rather than demanding. Be joyful rather than sad.  Be positive rather than negative. Be hopeful rather than discouraging.   While the way we celebrate Christmas may look different this year, the reason we celebrate has not changed at all! COVID-19 may have forced us to change a lot of things, but it cannot change the truth of God’s Word. Matthew 1:18-3 still tells us this truth, "This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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')." Luke :-1 still confirms His birth.  "So, Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them."     "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 Savior 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, goodwill toward all men." Don’t let COVID-19 or anything else keep you from celebrating Christmas this year. It hasn’t changed! Be sure to take your family to church on Sunday or watch a service together.