The Article they wouldn’t Print
I have a great friend at the church who writes a weekly article for a local paper. She sends me her article every week and I’m totally impressed with her as a writer. Her story of faith is incredible. Short version: God used Suncrest to change her life and now He’s using her to change other lives.
So she took a bit of a risk with her article this week to tell the story of Christmas…and the paper apparently decided it was just too much. I told her I would be THRILLED to print it…so here it is. Enjoy!
A Christmas Message
By Amanda Huber
In attempting to write a Christmas message, I was filled with fear. Fear that my words would by too joyful for these economic times because God has truly and consistently blessed me and my family as well as fear of expressing the basis of my faith and how it would be received. One reason I am proud to write for the Pilcher family is because they have never censored my testimony of faith and I thought now, in these economic times, nothing would be more comforting than the following regardless (or rather because) of your background, current situation, and struggles. I pray that this message reaches you and that you in turn reach out to Him…
Fear has a way of tying knots in our stomachs, creating panic, as well as paralyzing our thinking. Fear can capture our hearts when we are in situations we feel are out of our control. During this Christmas, we are all in one way or another caught in the grip of an economic down-spiral. As we are all too aware of, houses are being foreclosed on, people are losing jobs, and families are going hungry. More and more of us have fear in our eyes. FDR reminded a nation that fear itself constitutes a large part of the problems we face. It was as true in 1933 as it was on the first Christmas.
For on that first Christmas, the world was in desperate times, too. A census was being conducted in order to raise already high taxes. A murderous and paranoid Herod the Great was king of the Jews and it was winter and cold on Bethlehem’s hillsides. Inside a stable sat a poverty-stricken carpenter and his young wife – far from home and cold. Mary was about to give birth to her son in a stable and I imagine she felt fear as well.
Outside of town, shepherds are trying to stay warm when all of a sudden, the sky lights up and an angel proclaims: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10, 11).
A Savior, by definition, comes to rescue people in danger, preserve those who are threatened by harm, and protect his people from the troubles that surround them. That’s what saviors do and that is what Jesus came to do for us.
Do not be afraid because God has sent a Savior to us – Jesus Christ the Lord. He will never leave us or forsake us, He will supply all our needs according to his riches in glory, as well as add to us all the things we need as we seek him and his Kingdom.
Our world thinks that Christmas is about gifts under a tree and a spirit of good cheer, with Christmas dinner and family around the table – which is all wonderful; however, it isn’t nearly as wonderful as the real Christmas. The real Christmas message is this: God has sent a Savior for you. He was sent to save you from your sins and to help you in this life – to lift your burden and ease your fears.
The world is gripped by fear. But fear’s hold has been broken in those of us who believe the angel’s words: “Fear not … for a Savior is born to you — Christ the Lord!”
.Real.Greg.Lee. 
Thank you, Greg and thank you Amanda.
Thank you Greg for publishing this article. Amanda sent it to me earlier this week, and I was so PROUD of her for writing it. Amanda is an amazing person, and I for one feel so blessed to be counted as one of her friends. I love her like a daughter.
I told Amanda that I think had the publisher not had so many “fears” himself, and had printed it, he would have been very, very surprised to see how many people would have not only agreed with it, but loved to have shared it with others.
The Christmas EVe service was awesome.
Thank you Greg for publishing this article. Amanda sent it to me earlier this week, and I was so PROUD of her for writing it. Amanda is an amazing person, and I for one feel so blessed to be counted as one of her friends. I love her like a daughter.
I told Amanda that I think had the publisher not had so many “fears” himself, and had printed it, he would have been very, very surprised to see how many people would have not only agreed with it, but loved to have shared it with others.
Being that I spent the past couple of Christmases in Florida, it was so good to be in my home church for Christmas Eve. I thought the service was awesome, binding the new and and olds traditions together. Kudos to the entire staff who worked so hard to creat such a great experiance.
Linda
I needed to read this Greg and Amanda!