Cross 

Words 

Monthly Newsletter of Cross Ev. Lutheran Cburch 
	Janual-Y 2011 	Volume II, Issue I 
Unchanging Hope for an Ever-changing World 
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today andforever. 
Hebrews 13:8 

As one year ends and another begins, columnists 
and commentators look back at the previous year. 
What changed? What stayed the same? Whose 
passing did we mourn? Whose new arrival did we 
celebrate? 
At the same time, we make predictions about the 
coming year. What will the new year hold? What 
will change? What will stay the same? 
As fun and exciting as it may be to reminisce about 
the past and dream about the future, it can also be a 
little sad and scary. Things will likely never be what 
they used to be. Loved ones who have passed away 
don't come back. Jobs that are lost seldom reappear 
quickly. Even when broken dreams and broken 
relationships are repaired, they rarely return to their 
former glory. Many times our experiences in an 
ever-changing world are difficult. 

Yet we sometimes look at our lives and see a need 
for change. Many of us make New Year's 
resolutions: "I'm going to exercise more and eat 
less." "I'm going to save more and spend less." 
"I'm going to love more and hate less." But too 
often, our good intentions disappear, and only poor 
excuses remam. 
No matter what (or who) changes from one year to 
the next, there is one who never changes-Jesus 
Christ, the Son of God. He always exists, from 
before time, throughout the course of time, and at 
the end of time for eternity. Jesus loved you before 
you were born. He loves you today, and he will 
always love you. 
That's what Christmas is all about. Jesus loved you 
so much that he wanted you to experience his 
unchanging love forever. So he came into the world 
to live up to God's perfect demands in your place. 
He took the punishment for your imperfection and 
gave you the reward for his perfection. That reward 
is an eternity far away from this world's sorrows 
and disappointments-the unchanging peace and 
joy of a place called heaven. 
Jesus-the same yesterday, today, and forever- 
promises to be with us, to love us, to care for us, 
and to give perfect peace with God to all who trust 
in him. Only Jesus offers unchanging hope to an 
ever-changing world.