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December
2002 Monthly Letter
Dear
Partner In Ministry,
What will Jesus Christ look like for you this Christmas?
How
about a fresh look at the familiar images and symbols!
I
John 3:2 says, “We know when He (Jesus) appears, we
will be like Him, because we will see Him as He is.”
A
new vision of Jesus that I would like for us to see this season
may be summarized in one word: compassion!
What
if I were to say that the most familiar verse in the entire
Bible —- John 3:16 — in which we naturally see God’s
love, is really a perfect definition of compassion!
It
is! Because compassion is “love expressed in concrete
action." We see a fresh view of ‘God as He is’
or as a God of compassion in the familiar words, “God
so loved that He gave His only begotten Son!”
God
didn’t just call out from heaven in a loud angelic voice
and say, “World, I love you!” He demonstrated
His love by giving Jesus to us! That’s compassion
Personified!
Here’s
a real life story of how I saw God as compassion in a post
Christmas experience! Even though it happened in February
1992, I remember it well because it had a profound impact
upon me! That’s what happens when you see God as He
is!
On
a cold wintry December Sunday, a reserved man who lived in
Kentucky, drove many miles to attend a worship service at
College Hill Presbyterian Church where I had the wonderful
privilege of serving with a compassionate staff from 1972–1989.
Before
the worship service began, current congregational “Joys
and Concerns” were announced. These included births,
anniversaries, hospital updates and deaths.
My
mother had just “gone to see God face to face” so
her passing was noted as “Ruth Rand, the mother of
one of our former pastors, died this week in North Dakota.”
This
Kentucky man immediately left the service and quickly drove
to my home. As I opened the front door, I saw tears running
down his cheeks! He approached me and without saying one word,
stretched out his arms and solidly hugged me!
As
we wept together, again without any words being communicated,
I knew that he knew my pain, sorrow, and grief! In him I
saw God as He is! Compassion — “love expressed
in the flesh,” “Emmanuel — God with us!”
I
hope you see Jesus Christ anew this Christmas. More so, I
hope you will reveal to those especially in need, His compassion
and let them see Him as He is through you!
Have
a compassionate Christmas and thank you for your compassion
for this Ministry!
Ron
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