GOOD NEWS FROM PASTOR
“Things will get better.” “I hope so.”
“Supper will be ready soon.” “I hope so.”
“Don't worry, your team will win.” “I hope so.”
Those little assurances give us a little kind of hope. We have not yet been given a big assurance that gives us a hope so big that we depend upon it in order to live.
“We'll get through this.” “I hope so.” “Whatever the doctor says, we'll deal with it together.” “I hope so.”
Those assurances are pretty big, giving us a hope that will keep us going through a major difficulty. But there is still a bigger hope.
The sky is very dark in the hours just after midnight. When the air stops rustling the brushes, when the chirps and peeps of the nocturnal insects are suddenly not heard, and when the sheep who should be sleeping start bleating and the edge of the flock moves and divides as if something is pushing them apart, then the shepherds know that a lion stalks them and threatens them. The shepherds' hearts start beating strongly. The men tighten their stomachs, and they grab their staffs and stand up. They hurriedly stride to the side of the flock that had moved away from something. They do not speak, but they each hope they will live through the encounter.
Who has given them hope? Other people said something to us to give us hope. Can people now actually speak a promise to the shepherds that really will protect their lives from the threat of a lion that could maim them or cripple them or kill them? The shepherds may hope they will stay safe, but there is nothing that is promising them that safety. They may hope, but it is a hope based on nothing.
Suddenly a large figure stood before them and from him shone an unearthly light that was almost too bright to look at. The light was not as from the sun or like the light from their campfire. The presence of the figure emitted a grandness and strength that was so great the shepherds fell down in fear. They feared that the power of God had come.
At that moment, there in the presence of God's messenger and all of God's glory shining around them, they had no hope. They knew they had paid no attention to God. They knew that they had said God did not matter in their lives. Who can stand in the presence of God.
The large figure was an angel sent by God. The shepherds felt that their lives were lost. Their staffs could not protect them. The angel took a few steps towards them. The shepherds fell to the ground in fear.
The large figure was an angel sent by God. The shepherds felt that their lives were lost. Their staffs could not protect them. The angel took a few steps towards them. The shepherds fell to the ground in fear.
The angel spoke, and spoke with a voice full of the will and grace of God, “Do not be afraid; for I bring you good news of a great joy which shall be for all people: to you is born this day in the city of David a savior, who is Christ the Lord. This shall be a sign for you: you shall find the child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.”
When the angel had left them and had gone back to heaven, the shepherds said, “I hope so.” Their hope was the hope to live by. Their hope was the hope that would give them strength to live through all they would face for the rest of their lives.
Their hope was God's promise of to be merciful to them and save them.
They went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the child
lying in a manger. And they knelt down and worshipped him.
To you is born a savior.
“I hope so."
Peace,
Pastor Hoyer
To you is born a savior.
“I h Pastor H
Pastor's Message
December 2025
Transition Pastor Timothy Hoyer
