Good News of Great Joy!

Merry Christmas! Christ has come! Praise the Lord!

I hope that you are enjoying the peace and joy that we have because of what God has done through Christmas. As we ask God each day for revival in our nation, we also come to Him with thanksgiving and praise (Psalm 100).

I love thinking about the incredible joy that the angels must have had when they got to announce the birth of Jesus on the first Christmas. For thousands of years all of Heaven and Earth had been waiting for the appearance of God’s Son.  Finally, the day had come and they got to be the first to announce the “good news of great joy that will be for all people” (Luke 2:10). They exclaimed with all their might,

Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased! – Luke 2:14

Let’s pray that this same exclamation will take hold in our nation. Our nation needs to glorify God. We need to put Him in the place of honor and reverence that He deserves and that will bring order, salvation, and goodness to us. We also need His peace. Individuals are hurting in the pandemic's wake of loss and isolation. Our populace is deeply divided. We need the serenity that only the Prince of Peace can bring. 

Glory to God in the highest! How can we adequately praise You, Father, for the gift of Your Son to the world? You deserve all our love and thanks. Now, Lord, we need Your grace to lavish us once again. Our country has strayed from You and taken Your goodness for granted. Restore us! Change our hearts that we might turn to You in sincerity and truth. Heal our hearts. Heal our land. In Jesus’ name we pray, amen!

All because of Christ,
Chuck Hetzler, Ph.D.
Director, Christian Union Day and Night