George Rebane

[This message was first posted on Christmas Eve 2009.]

The two main events in the Christian calendar are celebrations of the
Promise and the Fulfillment.  Christmas calls on us to reflect on the
Promise delivered – the arrival of Emmanuel, God with us, that made
real what had long been promised.  By His appearance among us, the
Promise of the good news and a new covenant of salvation between Man
and God became an historical event.  He had come.

As Christians, we take great joy in the remembrance of that little
noticed event two thousand years ago, an event that would alter the
course of Man and his empires.  Today, in our own country and around the
world, Christians again stand battered and confused by forces and
events we scarcely understand.  But Christmas reminds us once more of
the real hope for a better world in which we, in His image, will all
have the freedom to grow and give according to the talents and
opportunities afforded us.

Jo Ann and I wish all of you a joyous Christmas, and a new year where
‘Better!’ will properly respond to every ‘How are you?’ coming your
way.