Rev. Stephen Crotts writes about a faithful and delightful English woman who kept a personal diary during the Second World War. The diary tells of her husband’s death in the war effort. It tells of food rationing and the horrible bombing of London. It tells of her children’s evacuation to the countryside.

One night in the midst of local bombings, the woman related that she woke up and could not get back to sleep. She kept thinking of Hitler’s invasion and S.S. troops. She trembled until she suddenly thought, “Where is Alexander the Great who gobbled up the world? Where is Caesar’s dogmatic rule, upheld on the tips of spears? Where is Napoleon? They are all in their graves and come to naught,” she wrote. “And that is where Hitler will be, too. The same God reigns!” And she rolled over, laughed, and went back to sleep!

When we read the papers or listen to the news with headlines about corruption, or war, or crime in our cities, it is easy to become gripped with fear. It is easy to become cynical or bitter or pessimistic. But that kind of fear is never productive. That kind of fear never leads to a better life.

In Psalm 46 we read:
God is our refuge and strength,
 a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear…

The apostle Paul wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Let us pray: O God of today and tomorrow, O God of ages past, we thank you for your faithfulness to us throughout all time. Help us to trust in you—even now—through Jesus Christ. Amen.

Many of us love the breathtaking music of Handel’s Messiah. It has a way of drawing us into the story of Christ in a way that is compelling, moving. It touches something deep within us.

I was interested to learn that this masterpiece was not written at the height of Handel’s career. It was written shortly after he had suffered a stroke and while he was living in poverty. At that point, Handel had been feeling tremendous despair. He felt a failure as a musician. It was out of the darkness that arose this inspiring and beautiful work of art.

Sometimes out of the darkest nights comes the most profound inspiration.

Scholar Timothy Beal, writing about spiritual formation, makes the claim that, “Darkness and uncertainty provide the environment most conducive to growth of the soul.”

Of course, most of us are not going to achieve creative genius during these tough times. However, these moments, while they are scary and difficult, are at the same time heavy with potential. There is potential for the soul to grow. There is potential to come out on the other side stronger, deeper, more beautiful, more faithful.

It is often in these moments, when there is nowhere else to turn, no further options, when it appears there is no way forward, that we must fall on our knees and turn to God. In the darkness, it is simply imperative to trust the presence and power of God’s Spirit, who has promised to make all things new.

Let us pray: In the darkest of nights, O God, it is often hard to trust. But trust and hope are all we have. Please, Lord, be at work even now in our confusion or despair. Work new life and strength in us. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Yesterday, my message was on peace, and the theme has stayed on my heart.

Some time ago, I was listening to a podcast interview with Katharine Hayhoe. She is an atmospheric scientist working with climate change, and an evangelical Christian. She bridges two worlds. In many ways, she’s a peacemaker.

She said that in her experience, talking to people across the country, the number one emotion today in public discourse is fear… And fear is a primary emotion, so often it is overlaid by anger or frustration… or judgment, or trying to control. But what is underneath that anger is so often a fear of loss.

She went on to share with her audience that her favorite verse in the Bible is in 2 Timothy, “For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love and power…” And she said, “…when that fear comes against me, when that fear comes against us, I have a litmus test: that fear is not coming from God. And if it’s not coming from God, why do I want to entertain it? Why do I want to succumb to it? Why do I want to give in to it?”

God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of love…

The problem is, at least for me, I don’t always know that it is fear that is driving me. So maybe in those moments, when I find myself reacting or feeling angered or enraged, it is worth stepping back… catching my breath… maybe stepping aside from the whole situation. Maybe it is worth asking myself, where is this anger coming from? What is driving it? Is this fear? If it is not fear, what is it?

To take it a step further, even though I might be feeling this anger or this frustration, this outrage, am I able to live up to my higher calling? Am I able to refrain not only from violence of fist and tongue, but also of heart? If there is a real problem, are there constructive ways I can confront it—without aggression or violence?

Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5)

May you and I, as followers of Christ, ever set aside our fear and heed his call.

Let us pray: Loving God, you have promised a coming kingdom where your peace abounds. We want to join you in bringing this kingdom. I pray today that you would bring healing, hope, and wholeness to each of our lives. Meet us in our need. And then, Lord, work in us and through us. We ask in Jesus’s name. Amen.

One of the prophecies of the coming of Christ was that he would give light to those who sit in darkness and guide our feet into the way of peace (Luke 1).
What does it mean to be guided into the way of peace?

When I think about peace right now, I can’t help but think about the loss of life and destruction in Ukraine. I can’t help but think about the Middle East—this ongoing conflict that never seems to end. And closer to home, I think about recent school shootings…

And then, even closer, I can’t help but think about the signs I’ve seen in restaurants informing customers that their servers will not tolerate abuse. We’ve seen it also on airplanes and in schools. In fact, I was at a local hospital the other day, and posted right up front, as you walk in the door, there is a large sign that reads, “Our hospital is a healing environment. Aggressive behavior will not be tolerated.”

Why do we need to post signs? Far too often these days, people are forgetting not only common courtesy but human decency. They are forgetting that these are fellow human beings…

Some of this is out of our hands. But not all of it. For those who are following the Prince of Peace, haven’t we been called to a higher standard?

I am reminded of the way in which our faith both blesses us and summons us… It calls out the better side of our humanity. It calls us to move beyond ourselves. Again and again, the Bible tells us: think about the other, the stranger, the outsider…

Our faith summons us not only to receive peace and blessing but to be a blessing and to bring peace.

This raises the question: Even when I might be feeling anger or frustration or outrage, am I able to live up to this higher calling? Am I able to refrain not only from violence of fist, but also of tongue and of heart? If there is a real problem, are there constructive ways I can confront it without aggression or violence? And to take it even a step further, is there some way I might be a peacemaker in the given situation?

In this new year, 2026, I pray that Christ would indeed guide us in the way of peace. May his peace come upon us, and work in us, and even through us.

Let us pray: Holy God, you came as Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. As we have been blessed, so too may we be a blessing. Work first in our hearts, and then in our lives, that your will may be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Christ’s name. Amen.

Ingratitude is a serious shortcoming. I agree with Martin Luther that “unthankfulness is theft.” In his Inferno, Dante placed in the center of his hell not those guilty of fleshy sins, but morose, gloomy, ungrateful men and women. Shakespeare wrote in “As You Like It:”

“Blow, blow, thou winter wind,
Thou art not so unkind
As man’s ingratitude.”

An elderly mother was bedridden with her final illness. The three married children, two sons, and a daughter were called to her bedside. Conscious but weak, the mother smiled weakly at their presence. One of the sons bent over and said, “You’ve been a good mother.” With a sigh, the mother whispered, “Do you mean that?” “Of course, you have,” all three children joined in. The mother’s voice came again very faintly, “I didn’t know. You never said it before, and I didn’t know.” Unfortunately, some live a long time before they ever say thanks to God or another person for the blessing of human kindness. Sometimes the expression of gratitude comes as a surprise, yes, even a shock. A lady boarded a crowded commuter train. A man rose to give her his seat. She was so surprised, she fainted. When she came to, she thanked him for the seat. Then he fainted. Remember, the apostle Paul reminds us, “Give thanks in all circumstances.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Let us pray: Loving God, we thank you for grateful people who care; a friendly visit, a listening ear, a funny card, a warm letter, a long-distance call, an e-mail, a bouquet of flowers, a book of inspiration. Thank you, Lord, for the ordinary days of simple pleasures and quiet charm; and for those extraordinary days of laughing and weeping when the drama and depth of life touch and warm our hearts. May gratitude for your amazing grace and unconditional love fall frequently from our lips. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.