IBRA CEO Zoë Keens Christmas Address

23.12.20

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly…” Colossians 3:16 ESV

As we head into the final days before Christmas, I am sure that we are all wondering how to spend these celebratory days ahead, we wonder if and how we will see our loved ones. There are questions of how to follow the guidelines to stay safe and protect others, but for many this will just be another day to get through; a magnification of the loneliness that has been experienced throughout this year.
 
But we can rejoice and be glad! Through God we have hope - John 1:9-14 tells us “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us ...”
He dwelt among them, at that time Jesus was born then, but at Christmas we also celebrate that He is still with us now, through the Holy Spirit!
 
23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[a] (which means “God with us”). Matthew 1:23
 
It is a precious thing to remember that Jesus’ birth was foretold by the prophets. In Isaiah and Matthew, we are told that he will be called Immanuel – God with us! He is with us, and He also promises that He will never leave us, nor forsake us.
So I pray that as this turbulent and scary year draws to a close, and as we look back and wonder what it is all about and how this global pandemic has happened, that we will capture our thinking to instead wonder about how God is with us, right now, where we are and He loves us, knows us and is passionately interested in who we are.
 
Through God we have hope!
 
My prayer for you, and those you love and care for is:
May the one who holds the world in His hand, take yours
May His loving hand protect and guide you
May you have the intimate knowledge of His love for you
May you know His presence with you,
May you know that you are not alone; He is with you
May you know His blessing and receive His peace
And may He lead you, and all those you love and care for safely into the New Year
              In His name; Amen.
 
Have a blessed, peaceful, and safe Christmas and New Year.
 
Zoë Keens