Jesus came to save the lost and heal the sick and free the captive.
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”
(Jesus’ first synagogue sermon, Luke 4:18-19.)
This is a good reason to remember that, as Michelle Van Loon points out, Christmas is for the deeply hurting as well as the deliriously happy.
***
Indeed.
Amen. I watched in deep awe yesterday as two ladies who have experienced some of life’s deepest pain this year comfort each other in Christ. In this world of sin, Christ enters in to provide the peace of His presence.
How silently, how silently
The wondrous gift is given!
So God imparts to human hearts
The blessings of His heaven.
No ear may hear His coming,
But in this world of sin,
Where meek souls will receive him still,
The dear Christ enters in.
He enters in to a world wracked with sin and misery. It’s inexplicably amazing.
This is a good word, Tim (and Michelle). Thank you.