Comfort and Joy
by Stephen Slack,
Chaplain
These two words well describe GraceMed’s mission. Of course, we’re here to bring wholistic and physical healing to the people and communities we serve but we’re also here to bring comfort and joy!
Christmas celebrates the birth of a baby born into a troubled world to a scared family and a discouraged people feeling abandoned by God. They had a long history of faith but recently their trust seemingly fell on deaf ears. For tens of thousands of people, darkness and silence became the norm. Today, more than in other recent years this sounds familiar, right? Our world significantly lacks genuine comfort and joy!
One night God broke the silence Himself. The light of God’s glory shone down in the dark desert pasture, and he spoke through angels to a group of anonymous shepherds. Interestingly, we have no idea the identity of the shepherds since it was the message that was important, not their names.
“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you; you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger’.” (Luke 2:10-12)
Many of the details we include with modern manger/nativity scenes aren’t mentioned in the Bible but this one is, “wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” This detail is included because of this child! He is One of a kind and the angel makes sure the shepherds find this child—the Savior, Messiah and Lord! Christ, The Newborn King!
He is comfort and joy. In a world then and now desperately needing real and lasting comfort and joy, God breaks in still! I love the way one Bible historian and commentator states it, “Underneath it all is a celebration of God. God has taken the initiative—God the Lord, the Savior, the Powerful One, the Holy One, the Merciful One, the Faithful One. God is the ultimate reason to celebrate.”
GraceMed’s healthcare mission and work are inextricably tied to this One God. Otherwise, we could not bring comfort and joy to the communities, people, neighborhoods, families, homes, and individuals for whom our labor and work are directed. May you know, receive, and experience the real comfort and joy of God this Christmas! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from all of us at GraceMed Health Clinic!