“The people who live in darkness will see a great light. On those who live in the dark land of death the light will shine.” (Matthew 4:16, GNT).

     “I’m not feeling the Christmas spirit this year.” These words were echoed by my wife following a visit to her father who presently resides in a skilled nursing unit. The past year has been difficult for the people we love. The grandson of our dearest friends currently is battling a disease that refuses to respond to treatment. Two of our congregation’s most beloved parishioners have relocated their addresses to be with that company of saints in heaven.

“The Lord gave these instructions to Moses: “Command the people of Israel to remove from the camp anyone who has a skin disease or a discharge, or who has become ceremonially unclean by touching a dead person” (Numbers 5:1-2, NLT).

     This command is a foreign concept to many of us. The idea that a person can become “ceremonially unclean” as a consequence of a skin disease or by touching a corpse seems antiquated. Yet such was once a prevalent understanding within Judaism.

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13, NIV).

“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,                      and they will call him Immanuel                (which means ‘God with us’ )” Matthew 1:23, NIV).

     My daughter is a creative soul. This morning she texted me a photograph of a Christmas tree she crafted at work. The design is fashioned out of a cover band, thumbtacks, and an IV needle. The tree now sets conspicuously atop the nursing station around which she works.

“Every time I think of you, I give thanks to my God.  4  Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy” (Philippians 1:3-4, NLT).

     Barbara Johnson is one of my favorite Christian authors. Barb tells of the time she had overslept and was late for work. Then, several things happened at the office to contribute to her agitation. By the time she reached the bus stop for the trip home, her stomach was tied into knots.

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name! (Psalm 103:1, ESV)

     I love surprises, most of the time. Some surprises are more welcome than others. The sight of a deer walking through the backyard is a pleasant surprise. Though a deer walking through the backyard eating my flowers is not.