Celebrating Christmas In The Midst Of Terror!

Celebrating Christmas In The Midst Of Terror (By Gary Patterson) 

 "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day," (Psalm 91:5)

"A teacher and a student were killed at a private school in Wisconsin on Monday after a person authorities identified as a teenage student at Abundant Life Christian School opened fire. Six people were injured, and the suspected shooter, a 15-year-old female student, was killed, Madison Police Chief Shon Barnes told reporters." (nbcnews.com)

While this violent incident is being investigated, we are approaching Christmas Day. How are we to celebrate the holiday in the midst of violence and terror? It is a complete contradiction. How does "Peace and good will to all men" (Luke 2:14) abide with what the Psalmist tells us in our text: "You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor the arrow that flies by day." Well let's face it, even though there should be "peace and good will to all men," all through time, there has been the terror, death, and destruction that we have brought to all man-kind. It keeps on happening. 

"There have been 488 mass shooting cases in the United States in 2024, according to the database maintained by Gun Violence America (GVA). The deadliest incident took place in the Chicago suburb of Joliet on Jan. 21 in which 8 people were killed, including two teenagers, and one was injured." (usatoday.com)

Why does this keep happening? And how can we not fear the terror by night, and the arrow (gun-fire) that flies by day?" Our society is constantly looking over it's shoulder, because we do not feel safe, and our trust level is way down. But even in the midst of these negative realities, we have been given "a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:11) 

We have the presence, the providence, and promises of the Lord Jesus Christ, in the Word Of God. As David said in Psalm 23: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." (Psalm 23:4) Why David? Because, "You are with me.." And we can walk through our valley of the shadow of death, because Jesus, our Savior, our Shepherd, is with us! 

"William Carey is known as the “father of modern missions”. But when he first arrived in India in 1792, he was quickly besieged by illness, loneliness and poverty. Then he was deserted by his missionary partner, one of his sons died of dysentery, and his wife’s mental health deteriorated so severely that she threatened him with a knife. "I am in a strange land with no Christian friend, a large family and nothing to supply their wants," Carey wrote. "This is indeed the valley of the shadow of death to me." Carey’s dark valley was impossible to navigate, humanly speaking. Yet he could write, "But I rejoice that I am here notwithstanding; and God is here." (Hope In The Valley - Our Daily Bread 2/12/2023) 

So the question remains: How can we celebrate Christmas in the midst of the terror, and the evil that surrounds us each and everyday? Like David, we have a Shepherd, who willingly gave His life for His sheep, so we could have the hope of eternal life one day. And He is "Emmanuel" "God With Us!" to watch over us as we continue on our journey through this life, with it's many challenges. 

let's celebrate heatedly, and do as the Shepherds did after seeing the Christ Child. "Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." (Luke 2:17) In the midst of the terror, and the evil that surrounds us: "Come, Let Us Adore Him!" GP