As a pastor I have walked with couples whose marriages are fractured and falling apart. Some make it but others don’t and end in bitter divorce. The letter you are about to read is from a husband and wife whose broken marriage experienced God’s grace and forgiveness. May their Christmas letter to their friends and church offer hope for all marriages.
“Dear Friends,
May the Lord richly bless you and your family during this Advent Season! This thankful “Christmas Letter” is being sent to you because you have known us for many years; years when we were together, and in the most recent 13 years, when we were apart.
Our glorious and loving God has done an amazing work by beginning the complete restoration of our 20 year marriage, which was severely flawed by sin in many ways.
As you observed us and interacted with us over the years, you could not help but to see the troubled nature of our relationship. No doubt, at some point, it had direct negative impact on you for which we ask for your forgiveness. Most of you know the details of the cause of our divorce so there is no need to go over those painful details.
Through an amazing series of Providential events that only the living God could originate and orchestrate, both of our hearts are now fully turned toward Him. Through repentance and forgiveness given, we are moving forward together. We seek His glory in this announcement, not our own. (I Corinthians 1:27-31) David plans to move to Minnesota as soon as employment and housing are found. Our reconciliation leading to a civil remarriage some time in 2006, is only because of God’s forgiveness, grace and mercy towards two sinful people. Please pray for our three children, Chris, Michelle and Rebecca as they witness the power of forgiveness in their parent’s lives and as they deal with their own awkward feelings and painful memories as they attempt to accept our reconciled relationship.
We lift praises to the Lord for His loving faithfulness to us and to all mankind at this, the season of His birth, as our covenant-originating and covenant-keeping God.
So, as we celebrate this Christmas like none other in our last 33 years, we ask you to join us in this celebration, as well as the joyful celebration of our Savior’s birth!”
“To Him who is able to keep us from falling and to present us before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all the ages, now and evermore! Amen.” (Jude :24)
Village Schools of the Bible 