Psalm 124:6-8
Yes, glory to God in the highest, but why did the angels sing such songs? What did the shepherds leave the flocks to see? Why are we invited to join them and kneel beside a feeding trough? Christmas comes around every year. “It’s just Jesus.” No. This is Jesus – the One Who will save His people from their sins. He is salvation! They sing because this is JESUS! Dear Father, please make this truth so very personal to us this year. We sing because of Jesus and the salvation and fullness He brings. Glory to God in the highest! Galatians 3:26-29
President or pauper – Christmas comes to all. Christ has offered Himself to reconcile the human race to God – slave or free, rich or poor, no ethnicity excluded, neither men nor women favored. No one is barred from “owning” Jesus. What does it mean to own Christ? Do you? For Deeper Thought… No one is excluded from Jesus. No one is beyond God’s saving grace. Who do you look at and think, “They could never be saved.”? You are wrong. How should this realization change your attitude, your actions, and your Christmas? John 1:1-5
Think of it: The King of angels was born of woman, but not of man. He was in human form, but not created. Christ the Lord was God in the flesh and flesh that was God. For if He was not fully God – He would have no strength to save humanity. And if He were not fully human – He would not be able to take our place and satisfy the wrath of God. But fully God, fully Man Jesus to Thee be all glory given. What song does that make you feel like singing? Why not sing it? Habakkuk 2:20
“Holy fear” is an antiquated concept for many today, but it needs revived. Without it our picture of God is incomplete. The Presence of God is fearsome in His holiness, fierce in His justice, and fearful in His power. In the Presence of Almighty God speech is unnecessary and may even detract from the worship we desire to bring. What are some ways you can practice silence in the Presence of God this season? For Deeper Thought… What is the significance of Solomon’s statement: God is in heaven and we are on earth (Eccles 5:1-2)? How does humility bring even greater joy to Christmas?
Genesis 3:9-19
Joy to the World’s third verse seems like the perfect one to perpetually skip. Sin? Sorrow? Thorns? Curses? To the quick glance it seems too morbid and morose for Christmas. But those words reflect the reality of the world and our reality – without Jesus. Jesus did come and He overthrew the curse. That means sin has lost. Sorrows are transient. And thorns are living on borrowed time (even goat heads). Joy to the world! James 1:16-18 The wise men brought Jesus gifts that were the best of the best this world has to offer. But perhaps they brought something even more valuable than the gold which crowned Him King and the frankincense that called Him God and even the myrrh that foretold His suffering. Those gifts came hundreds of miles over barren wasteland on little more than an educated hunch. As kings, they could have sent servants. As wise men, they could have commissioned an envoy. But they didn’t. They slept in the cold, fought against the wind, and endured weeks of travel to come personally. They brought themselves to Jesus. How do we give ourselves to God this Christmas? Revelation 21:2-4
The Wondrous Gift is Christ – sent to earth as a fulfillment of God’s promises of a Messiah, a Savior. Jesus promised His disciples a Comforter. Even though He was returning to heaven, His Spirit would reside in them. The Holy Spirit fulfills this promise to this day as He makes His home within us preparing us for our eternal home. He is the down payment, the assurance, that God will keep the rest of His promises to His children. He will rescue them from the grave. He will welcome them into heaven. And He will dwell with them forever. How has God kept His promises to you? How will you bear testimony of His trustworthiness to others? For Deeper Thought… The last verse asks Christ to cast out our sin and abide with us.
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The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
April 2024
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