Merry Christmas
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord. - Luke 2:11
-THIS SUNDAY'S TEXT- Merry Christmas
I have no doubt that we will have a merry Christmas, if we will focus our attention on Christ. While there will be many distractions throughout life and especially during this season every year, we must continue to fix our eyes on Jesus.
Two truths we want to understand this Sunday as we focus on the coming of Jesus:
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Jesus came as a promise from God to bring joy and peace to people of every tribe, every tongue, and every nation.
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The peace and joy found in Jesus Christ results in continued praise of the Father and continued proclamation of the Son.
As we spend time in the Word of God, we need to be looking for Jesus. Throughout the Old Testament, we find God promising a Messiah to come and we find men (led by God) prophesying of a Messiah to come. In the New Testament, we read of angels (God’s messengers) promising the coming of Jesus the Messiah. And very quickly in the gospels, we see Immanuel – God with us, the presence of God, in the Person of Jesus. In continued reading of the New Testament, we get to see the power of Jesus who brings salvation to earth. And those who are saved by faith in Jesus live a life of continued praise of the Father and proclamation of the Son.
Read the following passages in preparation for this Sunday:
Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah 9:1-7
Luke 1:26-38 Luke 2:1-21
Acts 13:16-48
-CONSIDER & MEDITATE-
Jesus Christ has come to world! The good news of great joy that will be for all the people has come to the world. In the fullness of time – God has sent forth His Son – Jesus!
What is your response to Jesus Christ – the promised Messiah, the One whom the prophets spoke of, the One of whom the angels promised, Immanuel – the presence of God with us, the One who displayed the power of God, and led the nations to praise God and proclaim Christ? What is your response to Jesus?
Joy and peace come in knowing Jesus and being known by Him. Christmas will be merry if we focus on Jesus Christ.
-PRAYER & THANKSGIVING- Thank God for sending His Son Jesus to save people from their sins.
Thank God for the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit and His Word.
Pray for the church and missionaries all around the world as we praise the Father and proclaim the Son.
Pray for God to continue to open peoples' hearts to the good news of Jesus Christ.