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Pastor's Word
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The narrative of Luke recognizes Jesus as a human
baby in the flesh. There was no doubt He came in the most ordinary way.
Luke counts of the months of both Elizabeth and Mary. This absolutely
looked like any other birth. The difference was in the conception and
importance of this child. A root grows from Jesse. There shall come
forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall
bear fruit. Isaiah 11:1 But even Luke recognizes the importance of a
Savior born. It was announced to the shepherds, revealed to Simeon. The
great plan of God was announced and revealed to the world. Taking the
prophetic words from Zechariah and Mary and Simeon and Anna and adding
them to words of the angels to the shepherds affirm the uniqueness of
Jesus.
John reflects on bringing the dual nature of Jesus together. And the
Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory
as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
The mystery of the ages God in flesh. I cannot think of a Christmas
season without hearing the words of Wesley’s hymn “Hark! The Herald
Angels Sing”. ‘Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; hail the incarnate
Deity, pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel.’
This Christmas let’s not forget the basics need while we meet our wants.
The story must be told not just in the words Merry Christmas but God
came to save us and reveal salvation’s plan. God needs to say through us
that the season is about Him not us. Have a Merry Christmas! Keep Christ
in the center.
In Christ's service and yours,
Pastor Bruce
Christmas Basics
The gap between
needs and wants widens come Christmas time. Some ask me what I need for
Christmas and the answer is the socks etc which are the basics. When they
ask what I want then that opens a whole new list. The world may not be
enough when it comes to desires. I really don’t recall when getting basics
became a joy instead of secretly sulking that I did not get what I thought I
should have received. Eventually the day came that I was not going to let
Christmas become Toymass. Grateful for the ones who gave me gifts more than
the things I received.
What are the Christmas basics; A Candle to light, A Christmas tree, A
Christmas Eve service, Family gathered, A manger scene, or The Christmas
story read? What make you set back and say this is Christmas? It probably
differs for each individual according to the traditions of your families.
Each gospel writer saw the story in different lights and thus emphasizing
the important things. Matthew focuses on Joseph and the kingly line of
Jesus. Luke focuses on the actual events surrounding the birth of Jesus.
Both of these accounts of the story focus on the basics of the story of
Jesus. For Matthew the basic truth is that Jesus was coming as the promised
King. The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son
of Abraham. So all the generations from Abraham to David were fourteen
generations, and from David to the deportation to Babylon fourteen
generations, and from the deportation to Babylon to the Christ fourteen
generations. Matthew 1:1, 17 David and Abraham are necessary figures in the
Christmas story. Jesus coming to earth is nothing if it was just another
baby. He had His roots in eternity. The leaders of Israel appreciated the
importance of the coming of the King of the Jews. When the Magi came the
scriptures were searched. It was found in Micah. But you, O Bethlehem
Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall
come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of
old, from ancient days. Micah 5:2