I keep thinking of The Christmas song made famous by Shaking Stevens. The lyrics go,
Snow is falling all around us,
Children playing, having fun,
it’s the season, love and understanding
Merry Christmas everyone.
We’re going to have a party tonight.
Up until 2020 we in the west have celebrated Christmas with freedom, prosperity and indulging ourselves on good things to eat and drink.
Christmas time last year was not fun. There was no snow, little understanding and few parties. Due to Covid, families were separated and not allowed to meet. We had to stay home from school shops and work. Our lives have changed forever. Do we consider why Christmas is called Christmas?
We celebrate Jesus Christ being born. He came to tell us about God our Father’s love and care for us. Jesus lived on the earth for thirty three years. He died a cruel death on the cross to set us free from the sin of Adam and Eve and the power of the devil who wants to rob, steal and destroy us. Do we need Jesus at all?
We are approaching Christmas 2021. Society is trying to get back to normal inviting the public to spend and spend to make this Christmas fun and party season again.
But how can there be fun in many families who are suffering the lose of a loved one, or going through the ravages of Covid which has left many weak and discouraged. Fear, despair and disappointment has taken hold of many people.
I can say we do need Jesus. He will bring comfort to the despairing and heal the broken heart. Parties will not heal broken hearts.
Psalm 138 v 3 says As soon as I pray, you answer me; you encourage me by giving me strength.
Learn more about Jesus this Christmas. By praying to him.
King David in the Psalms wasn’t afraid to speak and write about his despair and distress. He didn’t stay there. He trusted God and called out to him for help. There is plenty going on in our world that can cause us to fear. Sickness, no job, Climate change, wars, poverty, etc.
Psalm 143 says
Hear my prayer, O Lord; answer my plea because you are faithful to your promises. 4 I am losing all hope; I am paralyzed with fear. 5 I remember the glorious miracles you did in days of long ago. 6 I reach out for you. I thirst for you as parched land thirsts for rain. 7 Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens; don’t turn away from me or I shall die. 8 Let me see your kindness to me in the morning, for I am trusting you.“
Robin Mark is a successful Christian Singer from Belfast. I listened to him sing a song All is Well” back in January 2021. I was coping with the change that was happening to Brendan and myself. We were moving from our home on the shores of Strangford Lough. We had filled it with beautiful things; furniture, paintings, family photos and memories. I had a workshop where I whiled away many hours making mosaics and boats from sea glass and wood found along the shore. For me the home was beautiful inside and outside.
The brochures don’t tell one of the colourful sunrises and sunsets; the low winter sun reflecting off the water giving warmth and light to my kitchen. Or the full moon lit nights around Christmas when family was home sitting on the veranda at the log fire. Or the collections of shrubs and bulbs all selected by Brendan to bloom at different seasons.
The amount of work needed to downsize overwhelmed me. I felt paralysed. I could not start packing up. I listened to Robin Mark. God was comforting me through the words. All is Well. I also found a small painting my sister Rosaleen gave me with the words All Is Well.
Seven months on we are settled in Belfast. All belongings are stored or got rid off. Life is simpler. Not as much housework. My children can call by to see us. They are caring for us. I can sit at Cafe Nero in the sunshine and enjoy a different view. All the nations pass by.
Four weeks ago Covid hit Brendan and I. Isolation, fever, sleeplessness, lack of appetite, mental anguish encompassed us.
The scripture “Out of the depths I cry to you” is how I felt. I was depressed. I was fearful. Would I get better? The whole world is under fear because of the reports of what Covid will do. I felt that fear. David felt fear as he describes in Psalm 143.
One night while I was sick I felt the Holy Spirit hovering over us saying By the stripes of Jesus we are healed. God prompted me to sing and listen to Isaiah 53, By His stripes we are healed. He reminded me of how He healed me before and He will heal me again,
You see God is faithful to me. He promises to be my shepherd and care for me. I gave my life to him many years ago and He has been faithful to give His life to me. His power rises up to defend me when I am in trouble. He did it again to raise Brendan and I from our sick bed.
He will do the same for you. Give your life to Jesus and He will give His life to you. Take action. Do something. Engage with God. Believe He exists and He is a rewarder of all those who seek Him. Knock and the door will be opened unto you. That is what I did. God has rewarded me with many blessings, family, healings, peace and joy. I am like other people. I live in this world as well. But I believe in the One who made this world and in His power to help me while I live here.
I listened to Robin Mark tonight. I am recovering. I am healed by His stripes. Yes All is Well.
Everyone is rejoicing at the news of a vaccine for Covid. They are looking to man for a cure. I believe that Jesus Christ the Son of God is the Healer of all diseases. I have trusted God to be my healer and my children’s healer. When my children were young my dad said, “Why are your children not sick in the winter time.”
I trust God to heal. God healed me from fourth stage cancer. What is a small virus before the name and the Blood of Jesus.
There is nothing new under the sun. Back thirty years ago, I did research into the MMR vaccine. I discovered that material from aborted foetus was used in the research for that vaccine. I refused to have my children inoculated then. They have not suffered for not receiving that vaccine.
I do not take the flu vaccine. I have heard from friends that they believe their children and elderly parents suffered ill effects after taking these vaccines. I did not let my daughter take an injection that is given to teenagers at school. One doesn’t know the side effects of young girls having to take this injection.
I see from other people’s research updates that unborn baby tissue is being used again in the Covid vaccine. I am abhorred at infants being aborted. I am appalled that tissue from the dead bodies of infants is used for research. I’m happy to use a vaccine as long it has not be developed using foetal tissue.
People please check out about vaccines. Don’t be afraid to ask Jesus to heal you and trust him for your healing. Read about Jesus in the book of the Bible. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed of the devil. Jesus broke the power of death and hell when He died on the cross. By His stripes I am healed. I believe. He is worthy to be trusted. What He did for me He can do for you. And He freely gives. No expense. No fear. No control.
There are plenty of advertisements for cures for different conditions. Loose weight, eat vegetables, take tablets: try this therapy: all costing you money.
Healed of Cancer. Angela McCauley 