How are you? How is your week going? Are you having a good Christmas week?
So much of the Bible refers to Christmas, but this one sticks out to me today:
11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:11-12)
12 as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us. (Psalm 103:11-12)
I don’t know about you, but I love these verses. It shows us how great and how high God’s love is for us. At the same time, we see that part of this love is the forgiveness of our sins. He has removed them from us as far as the east is from the west. This is what we all long for.
I believe Christmas is the embodiment of both truths. God’s love is as great and as high as the heavens are above the earth. How do we know this? Jesus Christ came from heaven to earth to dwell among us. God the Son who is the Word took on flesh. The infinite became finite. The all-powerful became weak in the form of man. Why did He do this? It was all because of His steadfast love for us.
And this steadfast love put Him on a mission. The mission was to save sinners like us. That was why He took on flesh. That was why He became mortal, killable. It was to be crucified on the cross for our sins. That was why He became a man. It’s because only a man can take the place of another man.
Jesus came to earth for a mission to save His people. He entered human flesh in order that that flesh may be torn apart on the cross. He was born to die. His birth brings us to His death, and His death was for the punishment of our sins.
This is the Christmas story. This is why Christmas brings us joy and peace. This is why we are drawn to worship Him on this holiday. It’s about another tree, the cross of Jesus Christ.
May that truth be upon your hearts this week as we celebrate Christmas, and may that truth be the foundation for your lives.
Here are the lyrics to one of my favorite Christmas hymns by Geoff Haynes. I pray that it may minister to your soul today and tomorrow.
“Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
“Glory to the new-born King!
Peace on earth, and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations, rise,
Join the triumph of the skies;
With th’ angelic host proclaim,
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, by highest heaven adored:
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Christ, the everlasting Lord;
Late in time behold him come,
Offspring of the favoured one.
Veiled in flesh, the Godhead see;
Hail, th’incarnate Deity:
Pleased, as man, with men to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel!
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King!
Hail! the heaven-born
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”
Prince of peace!
Hail! the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all he brings,
Risen with healing in his wings
Mild he lays his glory by,
Born that man no more may die:
Born to raise the son of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! the herald angels sing,
“Glory to the new-born King !”
Hope to see you tomorrow for Christmas Day Worship @10am!! If not, see you on Sunday for our last Lord’s Day Worship of the year!!
In Christ,
Pastor Tim
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