DECEMBER 2024
FROM THE PASTORS DESK
If you were asked to explain Christmas to someone who had never heard of it what would you say? What would you tell someone who had never heard about Christmas? Would you start with family, food, and fun? Or would you start with faith? For so many, they would explain Christmas as a holiday where family is emphasized. I love my family. I highly value family. God has created the family as a bedrock of society. But Christmas is not primarily about family. For others, they would explain Christmas as a holiday for giving presents to those they care about. I enjoy giving and receiving gifts as much as anyone. However, Christmas is not primarily about giving or receiving presents. Less, but some, would explain Christmas in terms of all the fun surrounding Santa Clause, decorating the tree, and Christmas decorations and lights. I love the beauty of how Ms. Tammy transforms our house into a Christmas village every year. Nevertheless, Christmas is not primarily about all the fun and enjoyment Ms. Tammy’s decorations bring to me.
Christmas is primarily about Christ. Christmas is the day we chose to celebrate the birth of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas is the truth revealed by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds in the fields 2 millennia ago: “But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” (Luke 2:10-11)
If we analyze the angel’s words closely, we find four main truths being expressed. First, Christmas should be the season and day we thank God that He has given us hope and healing for all causes of fear. The angel’s first words were “don’t be afraid.” The world is so full of scary realities. The good news, however, is the fact that Jesus said in John 16:33 that He had overcome the world. Do not ever forget that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and still on the throne! This world has no power over Jesus. Second, Christmas is the season and day that we thank God for the good news that is offered to the entire world. God does not segregate people based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or socio-economic status. God’s people come from all walks of life from all over the globe. This fact is truly good news. Read John’s words as he saw the results of this good news: “After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10) Third, Christmas is the season and day we rejoice in the fact that we do not have to be left to die hopeless in our sins. God has provided a Savior, the Anointed One, for the world. Paul wrote about the pure essence of the work of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ... He was buried, ... He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Jesus lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary, sacrificial death in place of sinners. God poured out His wrath on Jesus instead of pouring it out on His people. In Christ, God’s people find salvation, forgiveness, restoration, and eternal joy in His presence. Forth, Christmas is the season and day we remember that God has been unfolding history according to His redemptive plan from the beginning of time. God foretold to the world that the Messiah would come from the City of David, and the angel of the Lord indicated that God’s promise was being fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
Merry Christmas! As we enter the Christmas Season may we never forget that the greatest gift God could ever give to us is Himself; and that is exactly what He offers to us in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, may the reality of God’s total, sovereign control over history comfort us in this season and every season of life.
Christmas is primarily about Christ. Christmas is the day we chose to celebrate the birth of the Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Christmas is the truth revealed by an angel of the Lord to the shepherds in the fields 2 millennia ago: “But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people: Today a Savior, who is Messiah the Lord, was born for you in the city of David.” (Luke 2:10-11)
If we analyze the angel’s words closely, we find four main truths being expressed. First, Christmas should be the season and day we thank God that He has given us hope and healing for all causes of fear. The angel’s first words were “don’t be afraid.” The world is so full of scary realities. The good news, however, is the fact that Jesus said in John 16:33 that He had overcome the world. Do not ever forget that Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords and King of Kings and still on the throne! This world has no power over Jesus. Second, Christmas is the season and day that we thank God for the good news that is offered to the entire world. God does not segregate people based on race, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or socio-economic status. God’s people come from all walks of life from all over the globe. This fact is truly good news. Read John’s words as he saw the results of this good news: “After this I looked, and there was a vast multitude from every nation, tribe, people, and language, which no one could number, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were robed in white with palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: Salvation belongs to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9-10) Third, Christmas is the season and day we rejoice in the fact that we do not have to be left to die hopeless in our sins. God has provided a Savior, the Anointed One, for the world. Paul wrote about the pure essence of the work of Christ in 1 Corinthians 15: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, ... He was buried, ... He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” Jesus lived a sinless life and died a substitutionary, sacrificial death in place of sinners. God poured out His wrath on Jesus instead of pouring it out on His people. In Christ, God’s people find salvation, forgiveness, restoration, and eternal joy in His presence. Forth, Christmas is the season and day we remember that God has been unfolding history according to His redemptive plan from the beginning of time. God foretold to the world that the Messiah would come from the City of David, and the angel of the Lord indicated that God’s promise was being fulfilled in the birth of Jesus.
Merry Christmas! As we enter the Christmas Season may we never forget that the greatest gift God could ever give to us is Himself; and that is exactly what He offers to us in Jesus Christ. Furthermore, may the reality of God’s total, sovereign control over history comfort us in this season and every season of life.
-Pastor Clint Miller
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