Christmas Eve 2022

These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them: “Do not go in the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two coats, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is worthy of his support.  Matthew 10:5-10 NASB

We all like the idea of having a Shepherd Saviour born so small and gentle, who will make life cosy and fun, abundant and fulfilled but then we choose to not hear, or adhere to, the Messiah’s instructions.  

My friends, just as the lives of those shepherds changed forever the night Jesus Christ chose to be born in a stable, we have the same opportunity to take the offered hand of Jesus and bring His Gospel to those whom God puts in our path to serve. 

God frequently asks for our trust through difficult, uncomfortable, and seemingly impossible circumstances.  how often do we respond with unreserved faith and carry Jesus’ light with us wherever we go? It can be easy to let our questioning of God get in the way of what He desires to do in and through us. We may declare we want to be refined, but are we willing to say “yes” to God and walk boldy through a fire? 

As Christ-followers, we have the opportunity to be radically different in the swirling world.  We get to show up every day and serve God. 

Titus 3:1-8 Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men.

There are a few lines we’ve been singing from “Oh Holy Night” that started really standing out to us as His truth, truths we want to understand and live out each year:

“Long lay the world in sin and error pining, 

‘til He appeared and the soul felt it’s worth.

“The thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, 

for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”

Our broken weary world is desperately seeking hope. The hope we receive as brothers and sisters acknowledging and declaring that Jesus Christ is the Saviour. We are not to put our trust in man. We are not to put our faith on the promises of wishes granted. 

Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ and His first steps among His people as God with us, Hallelujah! May we hear Your wisdom Holy Spirit, forgive us Lord, may we remember first and always that Jesus is all that is all that was all that will be, may we sing His name above all other names, praise be to God Jesus Christ Holy Spirit, for from Him are all things, and to Him are all things, The Lord is to be honored, celebrated. Halluljah!  

Praise the Lord that Jesus’ birth means Love came down in its truest, living  form.  What a gift it is to follow Jesus, rejoice in His mercy, new each morning! Merry Christmas!