In the US, there was a survey made by Gallup Poll that says in 2021, only 81 percent of Americans believed in God. The survey started way back in 1944. Up to the 1960s, 98 percent believed in God. Up to 2011, it was 92 percent believed. Up to last year, 17 percent do not believe in God.

Yes, the Christmas story started because Adam and Eve did not believe in God not to eat the “forbidden fruit.” They believed instead the snake, but because God is faithful, he promised to send the Messiah. As we celebrate the birth of the savior in these tough times, three things we remember:

1. God is faithful. When Adam and Eve sinned God promised the Messiah and never forgot it. It took 42 generations from Abraham before the Messiah would come. 
2. God has a plan. In the Christmas story, many lives of people were altered: Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth. This reminds us that God’s plan is different from our plan, his ways are different from our ways, and his timing is different from our timing. Yet, his plan is always for what is best. 
3. God will see us through. Because God changed the plans of Mary, Joseph, Zechariah, and Elizabeth, they experienced a crisis. Yet, God gave them the strength to face the crisis in life. 

May we always thank for the gift of faith. People are saying because times are hard, there are fewer gifts and fewer celebrations. But remember, Christmas is not about material things but looking at life in the eyes of faith. 

2023 we are grateful, especially for the lessons learned due to the challenges of life. Although 2024 seems to be more daunting with everything that is happening in the world, we remain hopeful.  God has plan, God is faithful, and God will see us through.