The Christ in Christmas

The world was dark and seemingly void of God, much like the world today. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath and listening, but there was nothing except silence and a lifetime of waiting. Scholars will tell you that 400 years passed between the writing of the Old and New Testament. That is a very long time, an arduous period of hoping and praying that God says something — anything.

All of a sudden, the stage was set and the time arrived. Gabriel was dispatched to fulfill the greatest promise that has ever been given. I can see all the hoards of hell gasp for air as Gabriel began to announce the arrival. Our savior had been mentioned down through the annals of time, but never before by His name — not so much as a whisper.

Here was a handmaid with nothing but the promises of God. She was standing in the presence of Gabriel, the one who stands in the presence of the almighty. All of hell was gasping while the angels were rejoicing, and then Gabriel spoke. “Thou shalt call His name Jesus.”

Allow yourself to hear it as Gabriel made the call. Take the time to hear the promised name of Jesus for the very first time. If you will allow it today, the name of Jesus will be the very hope that sustains you. He was our ultimate promise and its fulfillment.

Merry Christmas!

William Cory Stanley, Kokomo

A prayer for the victims’ families

Our hearts were traumatized and shocked when we heard of the disastrous and senseless mass shooting in Connecticut. As bystanders, we marveled that anyone would kill so many innocent people – many of them children. This killing was for no objective reason — other than an unbelievably cold heart, a heart allowing wickedness and evil to go unchecked.

Lord, sometimes we are ashamed that we belong to the human race. Why would anyone rob a parent of their child – or punish the innocent as though they were guilty?

Lord, our shock is minuscule compared to the plight of family and friends who are grieving this senseless killing; killing for the sake of killing. We know, Lord, that so many will now experience a lifetime of repeated pain as they remember their tragic loss. Oh God, only you can help in such a situation.

Surviving children have been traumatized; clergy, counselors, friends, and school officials are overwhelmed as they seek to help the grieving. Help those who are trying to listen to and pray with heartbroken parents, relatives, and friends. Help those injured to recover speedily.

Your Word tells us that all are sinners, but your image in us – marred as it is by sin – holds most of us back from such cruelty. We know, Lord, were it not for your grace, such behavior would be commonplace.

We look forward to the time when your kingdom comes to this earth, when the lion and lamb will lie down together. We also look forward to the time when your children will enjoy the joy of heaven forever. Help us – and especially those grieving – to borrow strength for today because we rest upon your promises for tomorrow. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ed Vasicek, Kokomo

Nation needs action now

I just had to somehow get my point across. Today was a very saddening day for the people of Connecticut, and the country as a whole. I find it hard to understand how things like this can continuously seem to happen to us.

I’m very firm on the safety of our children, and just don’t see why this couldn’t have been prevented, I mean, how can somebody just walk into a school with weapons, not be seen, and proceed to slay 28 people, 20 of them being children from 5 to 10 years old. It’s outrageous!

This (as far as I know), the seventh shooting of its kind this year. Talk about gun control, how are these young kids getting ahold of these weapons? Are the parents responsible for their actions? It has to be something in their upbringing.

Watching the news reports today brought me to tears, just thinking of the sheer terror these little ones endured today. Would it do any good to say we need better gun control? Probably not, they’ll just go out and steal these weapons anyway. I believe in the right to bear arms, but to go out and slaughter innocent children? This has to stop, NOW.

Richard Zorger, Kokomo

A nation that needs to repent

“How can this happen here?” lamented a grieving resident of Newton, Conn. Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy stated, “Evil visited this community today.” He was right; evil did visit. Evil exists and is all around us. The question we must ask is “How do we control evil?”

Taking away guns can’t control evil. (For more information, search Hitler, Stalin, Lenin, Mao, Castro, etc). Building more prisons can’t control evil. (For more information, search the above and the U.S. prison system.) Anti-bullying propaganda can’t control evil. And locking down schools can’t control evil. (For more information, search the above and read the news.)

Americans are well aware of the looming fiscal cliff, but are we concerned with our looming moral abyss? We stand at the edge of darkness daily flirting with evil. Man’s inherent carnal nature has overtaken rational thinking and turned us into a pagan worshiping Philistines. We worship violence and the occult. We worship idols and pay homage to trees. We love our sins and consciously reject God.

How do we control evil? We can’t, but God can. Only He can save us through the glorious grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We have opened the door to evil and unless we repent, the worst is yet to come.

After 9/11, Americans turned back to God, but only temporarily. If we don’t turn back for good this time, we may never get another chance. If God does not judge America, he will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. The wise won’t hold out for an apology.

Nancy Gibson, Kokomo