Some Thoughts...
It’s Christmas week. That means last minute shopping, school programs, parties, the end of school for the semester and a thousand other things. It’s easy during the rush of activities to lose perspective. So, I encourage you to take a deep breath and slow down. Take some time to reflect on the wonder of God’s great gift of salvation. Take some time to read and reflect on the Christmas story. Oh, I know, you know the story well, but it is necessary to seriously reflect on the wonder of the story and to be reminded of what Christ has done. We think a lot of ourselves and thus we sometime fail to see what a “step down” it was for Christ to become a man. What it meant for the Creator to step into His creation and become part of it. The infinite One an infant? The One by whom and for whom all things were created became vulnerable. An infant is fragile and dependent upon others. The one cooing and smiling at the caress of Mary was the Eternal One. Do not be mistaken He was truly God and truly man. He was not half and half or an amalgamation of divinity and humanity but two natures in one person without mixture. Mysterious? Yes. Myth of legend? Certainly not! It is the truth revealed to us by the One who cannot lie. His coming was the culmination of an agreement made in eternity past as the Father, Son and Holy Spirit entered into covenant to redeem a people to the glory of God. He came on mission. He came to die, giving His life a ransom for an unnumbered multitude. He came to save His people from their sin. That is why we sing. That is why we celebrate. The trappings and traditions associated with Christmas are fine and I enjoy many of them, but they pale in significance to the true beauty and wonder of God’s story. By all means, enjoy this season. Laugh and celebrate with your family and friends but not at the expense of the truth. Don’t settle for sentiment and miss the true glory and wonder of His coming.
Sunday, December 24, we will gather for Bible Study and worship, as normal Sunday morning. Then we will come back at 10:00 PM for our annual Christmas Eve Service. There will be Scripture reading, caroling, special music and a brief devotion (yes, brief!). We will not have services on Wednesday evening December 27, but we will again gather for Bible study and worship on Sunday morning December 31. There will be no evening service on the 31st but we will gather for breakfast New Year’s Day! Our deacons will cook and serve. There is no cost for the breakfast, and we encourage you to bring family and friends to join us. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM. It’s come and go, so come and stay as long as you like.
It is my joy and privilege to serve as your pastor. Please know that I love and appreciate all of you. I hope to see you this coming Lord’s Day. I know that many of you will be traveling to see family over the holiday and I pray for safety as you travel and God’s blessing on your time with family. If I do not see you Sunday, let me say, “Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year!”
Rod
Sunday, December 24, we will gather for Bible Study and worship, as normal Sunday morning. Then we will come back at 10:00 PM for our annual Christmas Eve Service. There will be Scripture reading, caroling, special music and a brief devotion (yes, brief!). We will not have services on Wednesday evening December 27, but we will again gather for Bible study and worship on Sunday morning December 31. There will be no evening service on the 31st but we will gather for breakfast New Year’s Day! Our deacons will cook and serve. There is no cost for the breakfast, and we encourage you to bring family and friends to join us. Breakfast will be served from 8:00 AM – 10:30 AM. It’s come and go, so come and stay as long as you like.
It is my joy and privilege to serve as your pastor. Please know that I love and appreciate all of you. I hope to see you this coming Lord’s Day. I know that many of you will be traveling to see family over the holiday and I pray for safety as you travel and God’s blessing on your time with family. If I do not see you Sunday, let me say, “Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year!”
Rod