2025 is here! Feeling ready for it?

Leading up to Christmas, I had conversations with multiple friends and community members that this year just didn’t “feel” the way Christmas normally feels. And we speculated. Was this because the temperatures were too warm for a Christmas in Ruidoso? Was this because our community still holds the collective trauma of the fires in June? Was this because so many people we care about seem to be in rough places right now?

At times it felt unsettling. And at times it felt depressing. Where was my usual Christmas spirit? Why did it feel like Christmas was more of a marker of time rather than the sentiment of so many radio Christmas songs?

But here’s the true grace of it all. The gift of Christmas is that it doesn’t matter how I feel. It doesn't matter what you feel. As Jason preached on Christmas Eve, the good news came, heralded by the angels, whether we like or not…whether we feel it or not. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, drawing near to His creation, not because you or I or the world felt ready or prepared. Jesus’ birth was a showering of grace upon us so that things could once again be made right between us and our Heavenly Father. 

THAT good news is grounding. THAT good news is hopeful. THAT good news is what gives me peace even when I don’t really feel it.

I asked Jason if I could write this New Year letter to you because I’ve never had an opportunity to publicly thank you all for your generosity, care and support over these last 10 years. From dedicated prayers to encouraging words to listening ears to generous hearts to faithful worship, you - our family at Shepherd of the Hills - bless us. It is a delight to journey through this life with you when it feels easy AND when it feels hard. You are a tremendous source of encouragement in each of our lives!

This is my prayer for each of you this January: As you head into 2025 carrying all your realities from 2024, may you find your grounding in the truth of the good news, not in how you feel. May you hold fast to the truth that our God is faithful. And it is He alone that brings good news…whether you like it or not.

Here’s to continuing this adventure together!

Rebecca Rust