Pastor Jim’s Christmas Message

December 22, 2015

In our family we love to watch the Christmas classic “It’s A Wonderful Life.” It is a touching and humorous portrayal of one man’s journey. The movie explores the human despair that is often present in this season of darkness.

Jimmy Stewart plays the part of George Bailey. George finds himself so discouraged that he wishes that he had never been born. A clumsy angel named Clarence appears, and grants George his wish. The angel shows George what the world would have been like if he had never been born.

This revealing process helps George come to the realization that no matter how flawed his life might seem, it still has great value. The world was a better place because George Bailey had lived.

When I scan the horizon this Christmas, I see a church in Freeland that is a powerful force for good. Imagine for a moment what the world would be like if Trinity Lutheran Church had never been born.

• There would be no cross illuminated and visible from Highway 525.
• There would be no Park and Ride in Freeland. 40 non-profit groups would be looking for a place to meet.
• Countless South Whidbey households would be without firewood.
• Thousands of people would be without quilts. Villages in Nepal would not have clean water.
• Victims of the Oso landslide would not have a social service center to help them.
• Dozens of students would be without college scholarships.
• Habitat for Humanity of Island County, which began in our church, might not have built all of those homes.
• There would be no Chicken Hatchery in Ethiopia.
• The shelves at local food banks would be less full.
• There are people who are alive today, that would not be, if TLC had never been born.

It’s a Wonderful Life! Not every day is wonderful. Sometimes the darkness settles in and like George Bailey, we wonder what this journey is all about. But in this season of darkness we will not lose hope, for we are a part of something really special. Together we are changing the island, and changing the world for good.

The Miracle continues on Christmas Eve with services at 4, 7 and 9 pm. Come and worship! Hold your candle high as we sing Silent Night.

Thanks for sharing the journey with me.

Pastor Jim