In our family room, the Christmas decorations include a Bible opened to Luke 2. Surrounded by evergreen branches and holly, this familiar story tells of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

This morning, I snuggled in my Bible reading chair and read this passage again. I found myself glancing back at earlier phases of my life when I'd also taken in the Christmas story. My dad pastored a church in Metamora, Indiana. Mom often wrote the Christmas plays, and every year I became a part of it. The roles I played varied. One year, we brought my long hair around to the front of my face to create a beard, and I played the part of an old man. Another year I was Mary.

But every year I reheard the words from Luke 2, and they forever echo in my mind. So when I read them again this morning, their sameness overwhelmed me. Styles and people and events and feelings and goals have altered through the years, but the words in Luke 2 have remained the same. The event of Jesus' birth cut into history and changed everything, yet their sameness brought meaning to mankind. While political parties continue to debate and leaders come and go, the events that took place on that night in Bethlehem remain unchanged and provide a foundation, a standard, a reference point for humanity.

2008 is upon us. The very number roughly acknowledges the number of years since the setting of Luke 2. We don't know who will be elected president next year. We don't know what news will flash across our TV screens or what news--good or bad--will flash across our lives in the days to come. We don't even know who if any of us will still be around for Christmas next year.

What we do know is that the words of Luke 2 will remain.
" 'I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.' "

You and I don't have to fear change. We don't have to become overwhelmed at current events. We don't have to be sad about what lies ahead.

Instead we can rejoice as we hold to the unchangeable truth of God through His Son Jesus Christ. That's something that no change in style or news can alter. And that's something to provide a truly Merry Christmas that continues throughout the year.

" 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!' " (Luke 2:14)