Christmas has come, and the glory of the Lord shines around us as we celebrate the birth of Jesus. We tell the same story yearly, yet it is still amazing beyond words.

God’s plan of salvation rested upon the faith and trust of a young teenage girl who was to say ‘yes’ to an angel who came to her as she prayed and her betrothed, who could have abandoned her. Mary had every right to say ‘no’ to the angel’s request. She knew having a child this way would turn her life upside down. But she trusted God. So did Joseph. And God worked out the details. The rest of the story is equally incredible, yet it’s all true.

I wonder about the sadness Jesus must feel when He sees the state of our world today and how mankind seems to care little about God’s plan for living in His Presence. If I were God…I might very well give up on us.

But thankfully, God knows our weaknesses, so he came to earth to save us from our sins. The birth of Jesus in Bethlehem on that special night was the promised response to Adam and Eve’s sin. God’s perfect world was damaged, but he never gave up on us.

So, as you put Christmas away for another year, hold on to the message. Jesus is with you. Whatever the earthly problem or crisis, you will never be abandoned. He’s only a prayer away.

About the author: Rev. Elizabeth L. Nelson is the priest at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church in LaBelle.