The world will soon leave 2020 behind, with all its challenge and tumult.  Like you, we at POK have been stunned by the events of this last year.  Beyond continued unpredictability, what the New Year brings is anyone’s guess. But as the angel declared to the shepherds at watch that fateful night two thousand years ago, we fear not!  For as the angel of the Lord exclaimed…

“…behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men.”” (Luke 2:10-14) 

“Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)

Whether “His star” was a hydrogen fusion reactor like our Sun, a comet, a celestial alignment of planets, or some other phenomena, the experts have debated for centuries. But given the events of the times, is it a coincidence that Saturn and Jupiter are lining up in an astronomical conjunction but a few days from the time we celebrate the birth of Christ?  The last time this occurred was nearly 800 years ago. It’s also happening on the Winter Solstice, the shortest, and therefore, darkest day of the year.

You can judge if this is just happenstance. For me, it’s a reminder that even in the darkest of times hope shines like a beacon pointing to the One who holds the stars, and each one of our lives, in His hands. Jesus told us the very hairs of our head are all numbered, and that a sparrow cannot fall from the tree apart from our Father.

“Do not fear, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” (Matthew 10:29-31)So, as we close out 2020, let this promise be in you, that “He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32) How indeed!

From all of us at Protect Our Kids, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Mark