Weekly Word

A Valentine's cake declares a lover's sentiments. Love is many things. Romance sung about in love songs, and exchanged when you feel in love with someone. It is physical intimacy. Care of parent for their child. Kindness of help for neighbors in need. “In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us.” (Luke 1:78) So we hear in the song of Zechariah about the God’s love that brings us comfort when we are forsaken, despairing, afraid. Think of a lover tenderly wiping the tears off her grieving face. Think of a mother, grabbing her sobbing child in a hug. Think of a skilled nurse treating the sore burn wounds of a forest fire victim in the ICU. The good news is: We may be captive to the darkness of bullying, death of loved ones, or tragedies out of our control. But love brings light into our situations. Do you need comfort? God loves you. Jesus says to you: The dawn from on high has come to show you the light of God’s love. Fee

Morning sun between clouds after a tornado moved through the previous evening. Need some hope? Sure you do. We all need to be reminded from time to time of the hope that God, Jesus, and the Bible offer to us in our daily lives. Not just people the day after a Tornado. Jesus promised people that they would see the “coming of the Son of Man ... with power and great glory” in their very own time. (Luke 21:27) The good news is: God offers us comfort through the gift of hope. You can see that God’s promises have found their fulfillment in Jesus. Jesus says to you: Here’s an early Christmas present. Live with hope, because you are not alone today, and your future is secure.