Dear Friend,

Is it cold enough for you? Polar vortex. Arctic blast. Frigid arctic air drives intense temperatures. It seems like there are a number of catchy phrases to describe the reason for the cold temperatures lately.

Politics. Sports teams. Pandemic responses. Unelected bureaucrats. It seems like there are a number of topics to describe the reason for coldness between family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers.

Do you find it sometimes difficult to show patience and warmth when the weather outside is frightful and the disagreements between others start to get spiteful? The answer to that question is rhetorical, but its implication is quite telling on how we treat others.

Thankfully there is good news and a great example for us. It involves warmth, love, and humility!

This news and perfect example was announced by the prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament of the Bible, “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and call him Immanuel.” *An interesting item to note is Isaiah lived 700 years before the birth of Jesus.

Here is the fulfillment of the prophecy in the book of Matthew, “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”).

Immanuel, God with us, shows us that Jesus came to show His love for us and comfort us, and save us (more on this in our Easter greeting).

When you read these accounts of God's fulfillment of His prophecy, both in the book of Matthew as well as in Luke, you'll find God has always been with us.

Jesus has come to offer himself in our place. His story of love, warmth, forgiveness, peace, and joy means everything.

Because of this greatest love story, are we able to show the same to those around us?

Jesus, God with us, encourages us to live these words in our daily lives with each other, at home with our families and neighbors, and at work with colleagues, no matter where we are.

So the next time you have a complaint about the weather or have a difference of opinion with another person, it’s only temporary. 

Jesus reminds us to be compassionate and humble.

The next time you’re frustrated with decisions from your favorite sports team's management or pretentious groups hijacking the will of the people, it’s only temporary.

Jesus’ love, warmth, and comfort (along with what he accomplished for us) are eternal. He’s in full control.

The warmth, peace, power, and comfort Jesus Christ offers are lasting and solid.

We wish you and your family the joy and blessings the true meaning of Christmas brings to all of us.
 

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Paul Zarling, David Zarling, Justin Krueger