Dermoth Baptiste, President

Seventh-day Adventist Church

Every human being longs for a saviour of some type. We look for someone or something that we can worship, that will solve our problems, ease our pain, or grant the most elusive goal of all, happiness. From the pursuit of success in business to the discovery of a perfect mate or friend, to the search for career fulfillment, we make our exploration.{{more}}

The story of the Christ child entering human space and changing the course of history is a candid reminder that our search doesn’t have to be unending, for “unto us a Saviour is born, to us a Son is given and the Government will be upon His shoulders.” In a world in which so many dreadful reports and such horrific news infiltrate the news channel, which sometimes make our blood run cold and dull our sensibilities, it is heartwarming and encouraging to be reminded that God the Creator, who sets the world in motion, has not abandoned this wayward planet, but is still very much with us. For in Him we move and dwell and owe our very existence.

At this time in our national history, when emotions run high and many are searching for answers or looking for solutions, isn’t it gratifying to again lift our eyes from that which is earthly and recognize our beloved Saviour as “the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace!” Isaiah 9:6. We are living in perplexing and dangerous times. If we fail to recognize Jesus, our Saviour as the Man that the world needs most, then it is easy for us to become cynical, doubtful, fearful, contemptuous or rancorous.

Today, we need the assurance that the Lord who reigns in the highest heavens sets up Governments and takes them down at His own will for the governance of nations. Amidst the play and counter-play of nations, He is still ultimately in control and will never surrender or retreat until His restoration plan for humanity is complete.

We need the “Wonderful Counselor” lest we wander in ignorance, pride and foolishness and lose our way of no return. Man outside of Christ is like a walking time bomb that can explode at any time, causing injury to self and others. Our Divine Counselor will guide us along the pathway of righteousness, truth and integrity.

We need the Saviour who is “the Mighty God,” able to save, eager to keep and ready to preserve until the day of His appearing. Sin is like an incurable cancer that sucks the core of our innermost being, leaving an empty shell of the likeness of God. Only our matchless, perfect Saviour can lift us up from the mire of sin and infuse in us His amazing grace for a new beginning.

We need an “Everlasting Father” who protects us from the onslaughts of the enemy and provides our daily need. A Father, who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities, who knows us by name, is rich in mercy and gladdens the heart when we feel down and out.

We need the “Prince of Peace” who can break through our tension filled lives and provide calmness, healing, reassurance and hope that everything will eventually work out right. The story of Christmas is that Jesus is here with us and will ride out the storms in our lives, if we allow Him, so that we can experience peace, wonderful peace, satisfying and eternal peace.

At this season of good-will and cheer, may the wonderful story of the loving, lowly Christ captivate our imagination and resonate in our minds until we choose to let Him into our hearts, so that we can become like Him: kind, compassionate, pure, forgiving and considerate to one another. This is the only living, worthy, factual story of Christmas: “Christ Jesus invading human space to save sinners of whom I am chief.”

On behalf of the Seventh-day Adventist church, I wish everyone a joyous, Spirit filled season and a prosperous, happy New Year. As we venture out into the unknown future, may we never forget to put our trust in Him, for He already knows the way!