When I was a child, my church was Hope Lutheran in Detroit.  As an adult, I belonged to Hope Lutheran in Dearborn.  The symbol for those congregations was the “anchor of hope,” as described in the book of Hebrews.  From the time I was a young teenager, I have claimed the promise that “we have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope …where Jesus a forerunner on our behalf has entered…”
(Hebrews 6:19-20a)

There are many examples of how this assurance has been helpful to me through the years – sometimes involving people – sometimes involving incidents in my daily life.

There was one time at Christmas I will always remember.  The congregation my husband was serving was a small one and although congregational giving was excellent, oftentimes there were financial struggles.  David commented to me that the church needed $8,000 and would be in dire straits at the end of the year unless there was a miracle.  We needed to hope and pray.  That same evening, a couple from church stopped by the house.  They had received a settlement from an auto accident and wanted to tithe it.  Their gift was $8,000! 

My main point in sharing this information is so that, despite the upset in our lives now, despite the fears we may have about health or money, or loved ones, remember to trust the anchor in our lives – Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.  Cling to the anchor of hope.  Jesus has promised to be with us until the close of the age.  Be grateful for this reassurance. The Lord is with each of us at Bethlehem.