Scattered

My Phillip and me
Christmas 1972

"...to those who reside as strangers,  scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: may grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure." (1 Peter 1:1-2)

5 week holiday forecast: 90% chance of scattered blog posts due to an incoming front of fun places to go and fabulous people to see causing occasional missed devotions here and there. 

I believe it's safe to assume that many of you will also be scattered about the globe as you join family and friends to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In his first epistle, the apostle Peter addressed the church scattered across Asia Minor or present-day Turkey - not in celebration, however, but under the oppressive persecution of Nero's Roman Empire. 

Amidst their suffering, Peter reminded fellow believers that God had caused them to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Christ Jesus from the dead, who protected them by His power through faith. Therefore, they could greatly rejoice. Even though distressed by many trials, their precious, tested faith would result in the praise and glory and honor of Jesus Christ at His revelation.

In celebration and suffering, beloved, may we rejoice in the living hope that we are born again through faith in our resurrected King. May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure!

Hail the heaven born Prince of Peace!

Hail the Sun of righteousness!

Light and life to all He brings

Risen with healing in His wings

Mild He lays His glory by,

Born that man no more may die

Born to raise the sons of earth

Born to give them second birth

Hark the herald angels sing

"Glory to the newborn King!" 1

1 HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING. Charles Wesley, 1739.