Merry Christmas!
For my eyes have seen Your salvation,
which You have prepared before the face of all peoples.»
Luke 2:30-31
Dearly beloved friends in Christ! I greet you in the love of our Lord Jesus Christ. On behalf of Russian Evangelistic Ministries and all the missionaries, evangelists and laborers in God’s vineyard, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New 2020 year! With great joy we once again draw near to a very important milestone as we prepare to enter the New Year.
The words cited at the beginning of this letter belong to the aged and righteous Simeon. Simeon, who personifies all of the prophets of the Old Testament who awaited for the Salvation of the Lord, saw the Savior. Unto his outstretched hands, symbolizing the hope and expectation of the Old Testament prophets, was placed the Savior, the Messiah. The hope of the patriarchs, prophets and devout
Old Testament believers culminated in God’s gracious gift: the Son of God – the Savior of the world – was placed in Simeon’s arms! The long-awaited moment finally arrived; the prophecies that were foretold were finally fulfilled; the promise became tangible; and the bridge between the Old and New Testament became apparent.
The newborn Messiah, Jesus Christ, is the reason for rejoicing and celebrating for believers! He is the center of our attention, our great treasure, the reason for our song and praise. Simeon could not hold back his joy and neither could the prophetess Anna – they saw their Savior! They could not help but tell others about Him! They were among the first to proclaim the news of the Savior’s arrival, they were among the first to share the good news of the Gospel.
After having met Christ and experienced His healing touch , it is impossible to remain silent about Him. The prophetess Anna’s heart overflowed when she spoke about the Messiah: “And coming in that instant she gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem” (Luke 2:38).
Speak of Him and do not be silent – this is the command given to the church, and it is the responsibility of each born-again believer. This command should not be seen as a burden but rather as a joyful fulfillment of a deep-seated desire that fills a heart that is consumed and overflowing with love for the Lord.
This deep-seated desire and holy responsibility of the church is also fulfilled by the missionaries that are sent out. The winter season has come and missionary expeditions are planned in the Polar North regions. Evangelical outreaches are continuing in the Caucasus region and in the republics of Central Asia. Until the last sinner is added to the number of saved gentiles, evangelism will continue and the voice of the Gospel will continue to be heard on the earth. Until the hour of God’s longsuffering ends, news of the newborn Savior will continue to be proclaimed on the earth.
Dear friends, may our voices as well not grow silent in proclaiming the newborn Savior, and may our hands not grow weary in uplifting those who are diligently laboring in God’s vineyard. May we be inspired to proclaim the good news of our Savior joyfully! Because it is impossible, having met Him, to remain silent!
With love in Christ,
Rev. Vladimir A. Okhotin
REM’s President and Founder
2019-5-en
