“Jesus is never anything but ‘yes.’ No matter how many promises God has made they
are ‘yes’ in Christ.”
II Corinthians 1:19b-20a IB
Dear Members of the Philadelphia Area:
Michael and I wish for all of you the blessings of God’s “Yes” during this holy season of Christmas.
God’s message to the world is: “Yes, I love you!” “Yes, there is hope for your life!” “Yes,
all things will for good fro those who love Me and are called according to My purpose!” “Yes, life is very good!”
It is our hope that each of us might respond to God’s “yes” in Jesus Christ with our own “yes”
to all that God brings into our lives. Michael expressed the “yes” of Christmas with these words:
Yes! Yes! The Virgin said to God
As she accepted pregnancy.
Now all the world would wink and nod
Bearing her
shame for all to see.
Yes! Joseph agreed with his God.
Pregnant Mary would be his bride.
Now all the world judged him a clod
With shame
standing by Mary’s side.
Yes! Jesus agreed to be born
As Mary and Joseph’s small boy.
Now he world would treat him with scorn
As
he shared their shame and their joy.
Yes! Is all Christ wants us to say
Our call today is just the same.
Now our world may reject his way
It is our
joy to share Christ’s shame.
Join with us in celebrating the “Yes” of Christmas, Jesus Christ our Lord. Sometimes the way of the Lord is
a struggle, but God goes with us. May the Lord bless us all in the coming year as we say “Yes” to God by opening
our hearts to the blessing god wishes us to share with each other and the world.
Yes! Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Bishop Peggy A. Johnson
