LETTER: Where hope comes from

It is hard to believe that another year has almost gone by and 2009 is just around the corner. We have all been witness to many newsworthy events in our local community, state and nation during this past year, that will impact us all. On January 20 of next year our country will have a new president who will be faced with many difficult problems to overcome. We have all grown accustomed to hearing in the news about bailouts, job layoffs, increases in foreclosures and the drop in the stock market. Most people are experiencing a lot of doubts in regard to their financial future both individually and for the country as a whole.

Locally, tensions have been high as we have heard of discussions about charter government, proposed airports and new insurance premium and occupational taxes plus many other issues. It seems that there are constantly people arguing and disagreeing about everything around us.

Against this backdrop, where can we look for hope that times will soon be better? Will we ever be at peace in our lives? We are confident that there will be more problems and issues to face in 2009, but we don’t have to wait on hope and peace for the world and for ourselves. You can have hope and peace right now, today.

Our hope comes from “the reason for the season”. That’s right. We celebrate Christmas to give special remembrance of the birth of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

If you are putting your hope in elected officials, government bailouts, good paying jobs or financial portfolios, you will always be disappointed, eventually. The only true peace that you will ever experience comes from a personal relationship with Jesus. God wants you to have that peace and hope.

In Colossians 3:15, the apostle Paul writes these words, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts”. As we enter this holiday season, it is the prayer of our family that God will truly bless each and every one of you and your families and that you will experience the love of Jesus and in turn that you will go out and share that love with someone else.

Merry Christmas,

James Allen, Martha, Joshua, Jacob

and Sarah Tipton

Taylorsville