During this special time of year I wanted to reach out to those who I hold dear to my heart and express my love and appreciation for your friendship and association. That to me is a precious gift and I consider myself blessed to have been a small part of your lives over the short time we have known one another.
When I think of friends and family during this Christmas time and the gifts that will be exchanged in millions of homes around the world I ask myself what gift could I give to those I love. The gift should be a reflection of my love for those I care for. As I contemplate that question one answer comes to mind more than any other. And it is this; my simple heart felt belief that the Christmas story is a reality.
A long time ago in the little town of Bethlehem the miracle of miracles occurred. The very God of this world, the creator of heaven and earth and all things that are in them left his throne on high to clothe himself in a weak, frail, and mortal body in the most humble of circumstances. His mission was to receive life and then freely give it back for all mankind. Jesus Christ, the Son of God condescended below all things so that he could rise above all things, the Savior and Redeemer of mankind. I, like Peter of old know this not from the witness of any flesh and blood, but from my Father in Heaven through the power of the Holy Spirit to my heart. It is a witness to my soul that there truly was a Christ child born in Bethlehem and wrapped in swaddling clothes found by the shepherds lying in a manger. That he truly performed the miracles written of him and spoke the words the prophets and apostles testified he spoke. That he performed his mission successfully and truly fulfilled all righteousness, ever yielding his will to that of the Father. Always in submission and humility to the great plan of salvation. That he suffered great agony in the Garden of Gethsemane, and died on the cross, a sacrifice for sin. And that the glorious resurrection and triumph over death and hell was the culmination of his mission to save you and me. This was his gift of love. This was the Father's gift of love, that he gave his only begotten Son. His is a story of love. His is a story of peace. His is a story of hope. His is a story of joy.
God bless you my dear friends! My prayer in sharing this gift with you is that you might feel in your heart the same stirrings I feel as I think about the matchless gift of the Son of God and that your resolve to follow him as a true disciple will be deepened and strengthened. May we be his hands, and his heart, and his love this Christmas season and always!
YIS - Tom Brand
The Regal Eagle
