Last Friday’s shooting in Connecticut is a tragedy we’ll not soon forget.  And it causes many of us to re-evaluate our daily routines and our organizational policies in an attempt to ensure that nothing like that ever happens again.  We feel compelled to do something in an effort to control the world around us in a way that creates assurances.  However, we may be acting in vain.

Jesus pointed out that we cannot even add one hour to our life by all our efforts and worry.  Planning and prudence and perseverance are all good qualities.  But they are not guarantees that this world, and the people in it, will bend to our wills.  Jesus’ solution was simple.  Instead of seeking a life that is firmly under your control, instead seek God and his ways.

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.  Mt. 6:33-34

The message of Christmas is this: God invaded our world through the Incarnation because our efforts to control life would never succeed.  We needed outside intervention.  We needed God to resume his place on the throne.  In the aftermath of last week’s shooting in Newtown, that message rings louder still.  God has invaded our world because he knows what we need and he has the power to provide it.  That is the assurance of the Christian faith.  And that is the only assurance we need.  Emmanuel.  God is with us.

I hope you can join us for a special Christmas Eve service this year.  Choose from either Sunday morning at 9:15 or 11:00 a.m., OR Monday evening at 5:00 or 7:00 p.m.  It will be a moment to remember.