Pastor's Monthly Message
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For What It’s Worth… Happy Advent and Merry Christmas
High Church says this time of the year (the weeks leading up to Christmas) is Advent. And I agree…but! I agree but… while we stay faithful to this “season of anticipation” everyone else in our community is calling this time of year the Christmas season…and honestly both things are absolutely true. Hence, while we will still observe Advent and anticipate the coming of Christ – we will also go ahead and celebrate early the arrival of the Christ child. We know the date – so let us also celebrate even while we anticipate.
With all this in mind. I now simply jump to the story of Christmas. Christmas is about the Birth of Hope and we all need Hope no matter what time of year it is. This Advent/Christmas we begin with a simple telling of the story of the Birth of Jesus.
“And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn” (Luke 2:7).
After being turned away from the inn in Bethlehem, Mary gave birth to Jesus and laid him in a manger, wrapped in swaddling cloths for comfort. It was a truly humble birth, and it may not have seemed ideal at the time, but God had a purpose for it all. God had brought God’s son, the King of Kings, into the world in a way that was unexpected and set apart.
“Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people,” he said. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Nearby, shepherds watched their flock out in a field. An angel appeared to them, giving the first announcement of Jesus’ birth not to kings, but to humble shepherds.
“And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger” (Luke 2:12).
The shepherds likely immediately wondered where this Savior would be born. Would it be in a palace? Or a fancy room at the inn? The angel answered this question before they could even ask it. This event just took place right here in Bethlehem!
So, they visited Jesus there in Bethlehem, telling Mary and Joseph everything the angel had told them. When they left, they continued to praise and glorify God, as they had heard the angel’s words and seen their Savior in the flesh. After eight days, Mary’s son was named “Jesus,” the name the angel Gabriel spoke of when he first appeared to her.
Friends God’s promise will be/has been/and is fulfilled! Happy Advent & Merry Christmas!
I pray that, during this Advent season, you and your family will grow closer to God. May all of us open ourselves to God’s presence so that we may not only hear God’s voice but also respond to it!
Blessings,