The Upload
Posted on Dec 26, 2014 by
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
I pray you had a blessed and Merry Christmas!
With all the presents opened, the fancy dinners cooked and eaten, and all the celebrations over, now is the time to remind ourselves of what this was all about.
Once again, we have been reminded that the greatest event in history has just happened! The promised one, the Messiah, was born. At his birth, it was humble shepherds keeping watch over their flock to whom the angels first appeared. The angel told them of a great joy for all the people, the Savior had been born. While the angel was speaking to the shepherds, an angelic host singing a “Gloria” of praise to God joined the angel.
The joy and wonder of that first Christmas, and this Christmas, is that God has sent his Son to us and we are forever changed. Emmanuel, God with us, has entered into the world, and we now know him face to face. The Prince of Peace has come, and although the world seems to be filled with violence, hatred, racism, and so many other awful things, the promise is that Christ’s peace will come. In fact, it is here, and you and I are invited to partake in it and share it with the world. The light of God has come and brought a gift of joy.
You know, one of my favorite Christmas carols is Joy to the World, written by Isaac Watts in 1719. Watts was the son of a church elder living in England. His father was persecuted for his Christian faith and eventually imprisoned. During this difficult time, Watts was studying Psalm 98, Verse 4: “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in joyous song and sing praises.” He wrote this beloved Christmas carol based upon this Psalm. Joy out of sorrow – light destroying darkness. This is what Christmas is really all about. God has come into this darkened world and brought a great light that will never go away. As we will hear John proclaim on January 4, the 2nd Sunday in Christmas, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5).
Brothers and sisters, I pray that regardless of what is happening in your life you know that Jesus, the great light, has come, he is present, and he will come again.
“Do not be afraid; for see – I am bringing you good news of a great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.” Luke 2: 10-12
Merry Christmas & Shalom,
Pastor Dave