Sometimes I wish I could step outside my front door and there lying on my porch wrapped in a tight little bundle would be a package labeled TRUTH. I could unwrap it and find a chart of lies and truth. One side would highlight all the lies I have been told in my life. Things like, “I am not pretty enough, clever enough, or smart enough to be loved or to be successful.” “The Wonda Chair will be the best purchase for your baby”. Included in the chart would be statements accusing me of wrong doings, statements I made assuming others’ wrong doings, political lies, religious lies, philosophical lies. On the other side would be the truth. The real truth. And I would be enlightened. And it would be a grand thing to see the truth in black and white and not to mistrust it. It would give my heart hope in knowing there is a stable, firm truth. Even when I see the lies I foolishly believed, and my lies that expose my own folly. There, on my chart would be simple truth, and I would be set free. 

Well, there is a stable of truth. It was in Bethlehem where Mary and Joseph held their own little bundle of truth. His name was and is Wonderful, Counselor,, Almighty God, Prince of Peace…. And the bible shows us many more names for this embodiment of truth. Later, years after the Truth Bundle’s birth, Jesus was facing his crucifixion and Pilate was interrogating him. Pilate makes a statement “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.” Jesus’ purpose, don’t miss it, is to testify to the truth. In addition, John 14:6 Jesus declares, “I am the way and the truth and life. No one comes to the Father except through me." Jesus is a truth teller and even more, He is truth. So, I do have a truth package this year. His name is Jesus.

My hope is in Him. My hope is in the TRUTH bundle that sets me free, free from the lies I heard, I hear, and will continue to be bombarded with in this kingdom of darkness. I will listen to the truth bearer who speaks of reconciliation and healing to all humankind through faith in His life, His death, and His resurrection, Bethlehem’s Truth Bundle. I invite you to unwrap the Truth Bundle this Advent season.

Hope Eternal,

Jan Wahlstrom

Christ the King Sunday was two days ago, November 21, 2021. In these troubled times we don’t want to miss its importance. Christ the King Sunday celebrates the reign and rule of the risen Jesus Christ over all creation…over all authorities, governments, businesses, and institutions…and over all people on earth. It’s the last Sunday in the Christian Year. It’s helpful to recognize its history and importance. In the early 1900’s, communism was emerging in Russia, fascism was emerging in Italy, nazism was emerging in Germany. Concerned about these growing ominous movements, Pope Pius XI instituted the Feast of Christ the King. He wrote the encyclical Quas primas (“in the first”) to respond to the secularism and atheism that was growing around the world. He recognized that attempting to “thrust Jesus Christ and his holy law” out of public life would result in continuing discord among people and nations. The Feast of Christ the King reminds that while governments come and go, Jesus Christ reigns as King forever! No wonder we gather in Thanksgiving this week. Advent is coming soon. Jesus Christ is King so…“Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:18