Christmas Eve Service

Podcast: http://redemption-clc.podomatic.com/entry/2015-12-27T18_51_20-08_00

The Festival of Jesus’ Birth in Nine Lessons

Christmas Eve 2015

Thank you for joining us this evening to celebrate the Reason for Christmas. As this is a worship service, please refrain from taking pictures. Take a moment to silence or turn off your cell phone so your worship is not interrupted. At the end of the service all children are invited to take home a treat bag.

Processional: “Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful”

                

Invocation ~ Responsive Reading

Pastor: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen

P: This evening we celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. We rejoice in the hope of our Savior, Jesus Christ, born in Bethlehem to die and rise again for our sins. This message is much like that tiny baby in the manger, it is simple and easy to understand and it touches each of our hearts.

C: Lord, open our hearts to listen to Your word and our lips to sing Your praise!

P: Well did David prophecy about the birth and life of this coming Savior, when he wrote, “What is man that You are mindful of him?”

C: “And the son of man, that You visit Him?”

P: “For You have made him a little lower than the angels,”

C: “And You have crowned him with glory and honor.”

P: Well did Jeremiah prophecy about the power of this coming Savior, when He wrote, “’Behold the days are coming’ says the LORD,”

C: “’That I will raise to David a Branch of Righteousness.’”

P: “’A King shall reign and execute judgment’”

C: “’And righteousness in the earth.’”

P: “’In His days Judah will be saved.’”

C: “’And Israel will dwell safely.’”

P: “’Now this is the name by which He will be called:’”

C: “’The LORD our righteousness.’”

P: Well did Zechariah prophecy about the suffering of this coming Savior, when He wrote, “And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication.”

C: “They will look on Me whom they pierced.”

P: “Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son,”

C: “And grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn.”

P: “Strike the Shepherd,”

C: “And the sheep will be scattered.”

P: Well did Job prophecy about the victorious resurrection of this Coming Savior, when he wrote, “For I know that my Redeemer lives,”

C: “And He shall stand at last on the earth.”

P: “And after my skin is destroyed, this I know:”

C: “That in my flesh I shall see God. Whom I shall see for myself. How my heart rejoices within me!”

P: God gave and fulfilled many more promises about this coming Savior throughout His Word. This evening, let us listen and learn as the children speak and sing of these wonderful truths and how they tell us of the true meaning of Christmas. 

Children’s Hymn, “Away in a Manger”                                                                        

1. Away in a manger, no crib for a bed,

The little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head.

The stars in the bright sky looked down where He lay,

The little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.

2. The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,

But little Lord Jesus, no crying He makes,

I love Thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,

And stay by my side until morning is nigh.

3. Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And take us to heaven to live with Thee there.

Pre-school children: Christmas Prayer

In a manger Jesus lies;  Angels praise Him in the skies.

Shepherds kneel before him low,  To the stable let us go!

Light of heaven and Morning Star,  Little Jesus, thine we are.

Lead us as thy very own,  To the Father’s shining throne.

Congregational Hymn, “On Christmas Night”                                                                                       

Martin Albrecht: Lesson 1                                                                                                           Genesis 3:8-15

God announces in the Garden of Eden that the

Seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head.

And they heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

                Then the LORD God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

                So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

                And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

                Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

                And the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

                The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

                So the LORD God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

Haley Naumann: Lesson 2                                                                                                     Genesis 22:15-18

God promises to faithful Abraham that in his

Seed shall the nations of the earth be blessed.

Then the Angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son – blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

Congregational Hymn, “Behold a Branch Is Growing”                                                      

Jack Walden and Elayne Albrecht: Lesson 3                                        Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Isaiah 11:1-4

Christ’s birth and kingdom are foretold by Isaiah.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined. For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder, and His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, and He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.

Keagan Valverde: Lesson 4                                                                                                                Micah 5:2-4

The prophet Micah foretells the glory of little Bethlehem.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Therefore He shall give them up, until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; then the remnant of His brethren shall return to the children of Israel. And He shall stand and feed His flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; and they shall abide, for now He shall be great to the ends of the earth.”

Children’s Hymn, “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (Congregation join on stanza 4)

Fiona Richardson: Lesson 5                                                                                                      Luke 1:26-35, 38

The angel Gabriel salutes the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”

                But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”

Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”

                And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”

                Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Congregational Hymn 94 “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

All Children: Lesson 6                                                                                                                              Luke 2:1-7

St. Luke tells of the birth of Jesus.

And it came to pass in those days that a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This census first took place while Quirinius was governing Syria. So all went to be registered, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife, who was with child. So it was, that while they were there, the days were completed for her to be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

Congregational Hymn, “Silent Night”                                                                         

All Children: Lesson 7                                                                                                                           Luke 2:8-20

The angel announces the birth of the Savior,

And the shepherds go to the manger.

                Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.         

                Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger.”

                And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

                So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

Children’s Hymn, “Angels We Have Heard on High”                                                                          

Allie Naumann: Lesson 8                                                                                                            Matthew 2:1-11

The wise men are led by the star to Jesus.

                Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

                When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Christ was to be born.

                So they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for thus it is written by the prophet: ‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are not the least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you shall come a Ruler who will shepherd My people Israel.’ ”

                Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also.”

                When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

 Congregational Hymn 98 “Of the Father’s Love Begotten”

All Children: Lesson 9                                                                                                                            John 1:1-14

St. John unfolds the great truth of the birth of our Savior!

                In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. This man came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. That was the true Light which gives light to every man coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Children’s Hymn, “God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen” (Congregation join on stanza 5)                                                                                                                

(Children) 1. God rest you merry, gentlemen, Let nothing you dismay,

Remember Christ our Savior Was born on earth this day,

To save us all from Satan’s pow’r When we were gone astray;

Oh tidings of comfort and joy!

(Children) 2. From God our Heav’nly Father A blessed angel came;

And unto certain shepherds Brought tidings of the same:

How that in Bethlehem was born The Son of God by Name.

Oh tidings of comfort and joy!

(Children) 3. The shepherds at those tidings Rejoiced much in mind,

And left their flocks a-feeding, In tempest, storm, and wind:

And went to Bethlehem straightway, The Son of God to find.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

(Children) 4. And when they came to Bethlehem Where our dear Savior lay,

They found Him in a manger, Where oxen feed on hay,

His mother Mary kneeling down, Unto the Lord did pray.

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

(All) 5. Now to the Lord sing praises, All you within this place,

And with true love and brotherhood Each other now embrace;

This holy tide of Christmas All other doth deface:

Oh, tidings of comfort and joy!

Offering

Prayer

Benediction

Recessional: “Joy to the World” (Congregation and Children)

December 20, 2015 - Micah 5:2-5

Theme: God's Gifts to the Humble

1) To Bethlehem: A Savior for the world

2) To Sinners like us: Grace and Forgiveness

There’s something unique about the attribute of humility. No one denies that it’s a good virtue to be humble, but no one really wants it. We naturally resist being looked down upon, scorned, and ill-treated; some of the very things that define a life of humility. Yet, it’s still a virtue in the eyes of the world. Even non-Christians recognize the importance of humility. It’s not like other well-known virtues such as peace, happiness, compassion, equity, and so on. Sometimes it’s difficult to be virtuous in those areas but the difficulty isn’t because they bring hardship. Humility does though, and that’s why it’s a hard thing to put into practice.

Most of you know Sir Edmund Hillary, the first man to scale Mount Everest. The following story is told about him. On one of his many trips back to the Himalayas he was spotted by a group of tourist climbers. They begged for a photo with the great man, and Hillary obliged. They handed him an ice pick so he would look the part and set up for the photograph. Just then another climber passed the group and, not recognizing the man at the centre, strode up to Hillary saying, "Excuse me, that's not how you hold an ice pick. Let me show you."

Everyone stood around in amazed silence as Hillary thanked the man, let him adjust the pick, and happily went on with the photograph.

It doesn't matter how experienced that other climber was; his greatness was diminished by this intrusive presumption. We commend Edmund Hillary’s humility in the matter, partly because our natures so often react differently. It would have been easy for him to promptly chastise that foolish climber, but he didn’t. And part of the result is that Hillary’s virtue in the eyes of people is enhanced.

The humility that comes along with faith in Jesus often works the same way. We despise and resist it by nature, but it makes a profoundly positive impact on our lives. And when others see it, they recognize its value. The life and ministry of Jesus was built around humility. He was not the Teacher that many people expected Him to be, and the number one reason is that He didn’t come for earthly power. Early on in His ministry, He opened His most famous sermon by saying, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” When His disciples argued about who would be considered the greatest in heaven, He told them to become like little children. Even in the moment of highest praise on Palm Sunday, He rode on a baby donkey. All examples of humility, from the very Son of God. And that’s just a few examples from the Gospel accounts.

The Apostle Paul’s life was also filled with humility as he made mention often in his letters. To the Corinthians he wrote, “I am the least of all apostles (1 Corinthians 15:9).” To the Ephesians he said, “I am the least of all the saints (Ephesians 3:8).” And to Timothy he stated, “I am the chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).” We see why Paul was a good leader for the Early Church. Theirs was a time of harsh cruelty and physical tolls for confessing Christ. Humility was just a way of life, but it doesn’t mean it was any easier for them than it is for us.

Today, we try to practice the same humility in our hearts but it’s difficult when our lives are void of much of the persecution that the early church endured. Perhaps because of that very reason, humility is an even more important virtue for us to pursue. Even the most fundamental aspects of our faith are based in humbleness. Repentance does not come easy for the proud, yet the lowly understand it well. The sins of covetousness and vanity come quickly on the heels of an arrogant attitude. The very pinnacle of our faith, justification through Christ, is a product of God’s underserved love for us sinners.

The Biblical theme of humility reminds us how important it is to God, and also how essential it was to the coming of His Son into the world. We’ve looked at many examples from the New Testament, let us look at one from long before Christ’s birth. A prophecy of the Coming Savior from Micah 5:2-5: But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting. 3 Therefore He shall give them up, Until the time that she who is in labor has given birth; Then the remnant of His brethren Shall return to the children of Israel. 4 And He shall stand and feed His flock In the strength of the LORD, In the majesty of the name of the LORD His God; And they shall abide, For now He shall be great To the ends of the earth; 5 And this One shall be peace.

In Biblical lore, Bethlehem was actually a pretty significant city. It was very near Bethlehem that Jacob’s wife, Rachel, died while giving birth to their youngest son, Benjamin. She was buried in Bethlehem. It was also in Bethlehem that Ruth met and married Boaz. It would be their great-grandchild, David, who would be the most well-known Bethlemite in history. During the years of slavery in Egypt, the idol worshipping Canaanites made Bethlehem the city of their fertility god, Lachama. Little did they know that this tiny village would one day be the birthplace of the true God, Jesus.

From a global perspective, though, Bethlehem meant next to nothing. It wasn’t even regarded as a province worth noting in the Roman historical records. From human eyes, it seems like a strange location for the birth of God’s Son. The human mind thinks that it surely would have been much better to make a grand entrance in the great city of Jerusalem. But the tiny village of Bethlehem represents something that often escapes the intuitions of the human mind, humility. Through Bethlehem, God kept his word that Jesus would come from Judah’s line, as Mary and Joseph were required to travel back to their homeland for the Roman census. But through it God also kept His consistent word on the importance of a lowly attitude in mankind’s relationship with Him.

No one expected anything special from Bethlehem, but now it will always be remembered as the birthplace of Jesus. Even the Wise Men of the East needed help from the Scriptures in ascertaining the birthplace of the Messiah, as they heard this record from Micah in Herod’s court. Today, the name Bethlehem is known among all nations. When one hears it, it automatically points to Jesus. This was God’s gift to that humble and lowly village, and it was a product solely of His own power.

This prophecy of the birthplace of the Messiah is pretty amazing. Micah recorded it some 700 years before Jesus was born. The very insignificance of Bethlehem shows the Spirit’s influence through inspiration, for no human would have picked out this tiny village on his own. What a blessing to see in great detail one more piece of evidence of the fact that Jesus was God’s Chosen One! But, in the end, as far as prophecies go, it’s not all that important to God’s plan of salvation. In the end, it’s really just a piece of geography. Bethlehem itself doesn’t hold any great spiritual purpose for our lives.

But as we consider God’s theme of humility in our lives, seeing His gift to Bethlehem helps us appreciate the gifts He gives us. We too, are small and insignificant as Bethlehem was. When the world looks at us, they don’t see power and influence. Often, scoffers of Christianity mock our abilities to change the world. In our day to day activities it can often feel like we’re spinning our spiritual wheels, even though we have great enthusiasm to serve our Lord.

It’s at this point that this prophecy really hits home for us. Knowing Jesus would be born in Bethlehem is nice, but God tells us something much more important. This Savior to come, although born in humility, would also be the eternal God and the One to tend God’s people as a shepherd tends his flock. In this prophecy is not just as geographical clue, but the clear Gospel message of hope and peace. But that too would come with a healthy dose of humility. The Almighty child born in Bethlehem would grow up to be the Almighty Man who would die on the cross. As Paul tells us, this sacrificial death was the greatest form of humility, Make your own attitude that of Christ Jesus, 6 who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God as something to be used for His own advantage. 7 Instead He emptied Himself by assuming the form of a slave, taking on the likeness of men. And when He had come as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death-- even to death on a cross (Philippians 2:5-8).

Because Jesus chose to become obedient to God’s law and humbled himself under the pain of death, you and I have gifts from God. God comes to us in our lowly state, just as Mary and Joseph descended upon lowly Bethlehem at the fullness of time, and He blesses us by His undeserved love. In Jesus, we see a connection between all the references to humility in the Bible. It’s okay to be despised, to be lowly, and to live simply, for God loves to come to sinners with His grace. Sinners are the ones humbled before the weight of God’s law. Any thought of self-reliance that enters our minds is quickly extinguished in view of our mistakes and failures. But in a much more powerful way, the Gospel humbles us under God’s almighty protection. Our self-righteous, sinful natures are taken to the grave and replaced with a humble gratitude and thanksgiving for God’s promises.

God’s grace and forgiveness are so powerful that they keep us in that humility too. We know humility is a virtue, but our sinful flesh daily wrestles against it. In our sanctified lives under Christ’s love, we are able to stay the course in the humbleness of faith, and hang on to the virtue of humility that is so elusive in the world. The result, of course, is the natural fruit of faith in our lives produced by the Gospel. We are able to give the very gift that God so graciously gave us, and help change others.  

The little town of Bethlehem is a testament today of the importance of Christ’s birth into the world. It also serves as a symbol of His entire life of humility that culminated at Golgotha. In the same prophecy we see a lesson of humility for our lives. As Judah was, so too are we God’s remnant today. We don’t look like much. We don’t always accomplish much. Sometimes, there are days where it feels like we just need to hold the ground against everything going on in our lives. There’s nothing glamourous about being the remnant. The very word is filled with humility. It means being overlooked, underappreciated, counted out, and even scorned.

But the humble remnant is pleasing to Jesus. To Him it means, blessedness, faithfulness, and prosperity. Not because of ourselves, but because of His great love and how it changes our lives. It’s okay to be humble. Our Savior’s birth was humble. Our Savior’s life was humble. And He desires to be with the humble. That gift far outweighs anything the world can offer. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.

December 13, 2015 - Zephaniah 3:14-17

Podcast: http://redemption-clc.podomatic.com/entry/2015-12-16T11_22_01-08_00

Theme: We Rejoice because God First Rejoiced Over Us

Zephaniah 3:14-17 Sing, O daughter of Zion! Shout, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your judgments, He has cast out your enemy. The King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst; You shall see disaster no more. 16 In that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: "Do not fear; Zion, let not your hands be weak. 17 The LORD your God is in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing."

Christmas is about joy, right? We’re told to have a “holly, jolly, Christmas” because it’s the best time of the year. One of our most beloved hymns in the Christmas season is “Joy to the World.” People go around and look at Christmas lights, they drink hot chocolate, and travel across the land to be with friends and loved ones. It all sounds and looks very joyful doesn’t it, and it’s supposed to.

Why is it then that Christmas is also one of the most stressful times of the year? And it’s not just the month of December, it seems that life in general is in a downward spiral. Just yesterday I saw a sign along the road that said every day 22 veterans lose the battle with suicide. Last month a newspaper article stated that the Seattle mayor declared a “state of emergency” because of the city’s homeless population. Depression and anxiety reign around this time of year as just about every day is rainy and cloudy.

Sometimes it seems like the Christmas season is the culprit. We’re conditioned by songs, the media, and tradition that we need to be happy around Christmas. And if we’re not, it’s easy to feel like you’re left on the outside. When you add your individual problems to the equation you really get a recipe for depression. Some of us have nagging health issues. Some of us are in financial trouble. Some of have estranged friends or family members. We all have questions and concerns about the future. It sure doesn’t take long for sin and all of its effects to suck the joy out of Christmas. If we’re hoping for gifts and presents to fill in the void, we’re going to be sorely disappointed. In fact, the clamoring of earthly possessions only spirals our attitudes further downward.

In many ways, Zephaniah’s short prophecy is a microcosm of the Christmas season. There’s a lot of doom and gloom on the surface but the overall meaning behind it all is joy. If you read the book of Zephaniah, and it doesn’t take long it’s only 3 chapters, it’s almost entirely a message of judgment on God’s people of Judah. You might wonder where the hope and joy is that we come to know well in the Words of Scripture. Our few verses for review today come right at the end, and they’re just about the only verses that relay any hope.

As we examine this truth about Zephaniah’s prophecy, we might just throw up our hands and consider the book worthless and depressing. But that’s not the only way to look at it, and certainly not the right way. Sometimes God comes to us in life when things seem the bleakest because He knows that in that moment He can offer the greatest comfort. Take this picture as an example: If you never fall, you begin to forget the blessing of standing on solid ground. If you fall once, you remember for a short time. But if your entire life is a struggle, you begin to hunger and thirst desperately for deliverance and when you get it, you appreciate it.

God’s Law works the same way in our lives. Sometimes God needs to hammer at our stubborn, sinful hearts with the Law again and again to teach us a valuable lesson. The more the Law is present in our lives, the more we will be confronted with the impending curse that comes along with it because of sin. We naturally resist this because no one likes pain, discomfort, or knowing deep inside that you are helpless. When we’re confronted with harsh reality of our sins and the “wages of death” which we have earned through them; it’s the opposite of joy.

This is the same lesson that stands out so clearly amidst all the thoughts of joy around Christmas. When the homeless man struggles with sorrow and loneliness, it’s the same sin that is to blame, but it’s more apparent when others are having such a wonderful time. If you have a rift in the family, it’s going to feel more painful than it really is because Christmas is a time for the family. So the same is true for just about every problem. The holidays accentuate the ailment of sin because the holidays are meant to be joyful.

Of course, in many ways these problems are our own fault. On several fronts the general purpose and substance of the Christmas season has been taken hostage by greed and materialism. People set up expectations for themselves and others that joy comes from earthly things like: money, and gifts, and packing the most fun into my day. When the veteran contemplates ending it all, he does so partly because he feels worthless because he can’t live up to the many of the expectations for joy that are thrust upon him by secular society. Because he, and others like him, feel like they don’t fit the mold they look for ways to get out of the system.

What a painful web of wickedness is spun when the sinful heart gains control of life. We see a similar parallel in the life of God’s people roughly 650 years before the Savior would be born. They lived on their whims of their own hearts without a clue of the truth. They redefined God’s righteous commandments to fit their immoral ways. They committed spiritual adultery in the heart by blending into the world around them, instead of standing out as lights to the dark world. And they paid the price.

Not just the price of captivity, that would indeed come later at the hands of the Babylonians. No, the price we’re talking about is the same one that is present so abundantly at this time of year in our land – the lack of true joy. The somewhat depressing tone of Zephaniah’s book was not God’s doing. His judgment was meant as a cleansing, as He so often had to do with His people, and as He has had to do with us many times. The lack of true joy came from the peoples’ sins. It’s the same place all pain, hardship, depression, and the like have originated from the beginning of the Fall.

Think of how easy it would have been for Zephaniah and his people to give up at the prospect of their sins. They had no Savior yet, to their understanding. The majority had given up on using God’s Word and receiving His blessings on the regular Sabbath worship. Judgment was upon them right now, and a captivity was coming in the future. Think of God’s prophet in particular. Not only had the people gone astray, they didn’t want to listen to the direct revelation of truth given from God. Zephaniah captured the mood pretty well with these words from chapter 1: The great day of the LORD is near; It is near and hastens quickly. The noise of the day of the LORD is bitter; There the mighty men shall cry out. That day is a day of wrath, A day of trouble and distress, A day of devastation and desolation, A day of darkness and gloominess, A day of clouds and thick darkness (Zephaniah 1:14-15). Pretty easy to have a low sense of self-esteem in such a setting. And pretty easy to give up any hope of joy.

And yet, God’s final message to Zephaniah and His people is to “Shout with joy!” All throughout the book, the reader is led to despair. Think how much more the actual people involved in it were! And yet, the final emphasis is hope and joy. And the reason matters too. Tell anyone who is struggling that you can offer hope and joy and they’ll ask how. Simply saying it over and over again isn’t good enough. Judah’s hope centered on the Lord. He would be among them. He would quiet them with His love, and He would rejoice over them. There you have the answer to the question of true joy. It starts and stays with God. Just as we learn in the simple passage the “We love God because He first love us,” so also we see that we rejoice because God rejoices over us first.

The depth of the disaster that would befall Judah made an impact, as it needed to. But that was all part of God’s almighty plan. It’s not that God desires to see His people suffer, rather it’s that He is able to use even that to produce a good result. The good result for Judah was a lesson learned once again. There is no hope for those who are independent of God. The world’s allures and temptations of joy and pleasure are hollow. Life with God is in His Word. To be brought closer to those truths, to build the trust of faith in God alone is the best result for anyone’s life, no matter how it comes to pass. And it’s the only source of joy that lasts.

For us, the same lesson must be learned, and therefore the hardships will come our way. Even though the majority of our lives may feel like they’re filled with sadness and disappointment, the only thing that matters is the end. We repeat with Judah the eternal refrain of joyful worship in the Lord’s presence. But the really special thing is this: the singing and the rejoicing can begin now. We don’t have to wait any longer than Judah did the moment Zephaniah spoke these words from God. Yes, captivity under sin looms on the horizon just like captivity from Babylon. Yes, there will be days when the gloom and doom of sin fills the majority of our thoughts, just as the majority of Zephaniah’s book was about judgment.

But the source of our joy is the same. It’s found in God’s presence among us, even if it is as small as an infant in a manger. We suffer from the same things Judah suffered from, but we also rejoice in the same One – Jesus; our Immanuel, “God with us.” That is the true joy of Christmas. It’s kind of like the story of the Grinch. Christmas joy is not trimmings and packages, boxes or bags. It’s not even in the rare, “Roast Beast.” But it’s not about holding hands together and just singing about joy either, as the famous story ends. Our song as Christians rings much louder and for much longer, because our song of victory is in Jesus.

That’s the joy we rejoice in and the joy we share; and nothing can take it away. Not the weather, not the hollow expectations of the season, not loneliness, not depression, not even rifts between brother or sister or parent and child. The world and the sin that ensnares it no longer dictates what you must be or how you must feel. “The LORD has taken away your judgments, and He has cast out your enemy.” You are safe, you are loved, and your God rejoices over you.        

Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. 

Advent Candlelight Service

Podcast: http://redemption-clc.podomatic.com/entry/2015-12-10T08_48_27-08_00

1: Light in the Beginning

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. 3 Then God said, "Let there be light"; and there was light. (Genesis 1-1-3)

From the very beginning, light was a central theme to God’s Word and Creation. Without light, life could not exist. We even can learn and observe from science that all growth on earth is a product of light from the sun. In a more abstract way, light was necessary to provide order. Before light the earth was “without form and void.” The creation of light was the creation of order, logic, and control.

Ever since this first moment in history, God has been known as the Author of light. The Bible makes several applications of this in the spiritual lives of people; a few of which we will consider this evening. But they all flow from the account of God’s creation, and these very first words from God that brought matter and life into existence.

We are able to understand and worship God because we have light. We live and breathe today because of the light that God first created. Not long after God spoke the world into existence, He placed His foremost creation, humans, into it. Man and woman are examples of God’s power and wisdom. They were created in His righteous and perfect image; children who would live in harmony with Him and bring Him glory and honor through their lives. The light of life beamed forth brightly on that seventh day, when God rested from the good and complete work of His creation; a creation that began with light.

But before long the harsh winds of temptation blew forth upon that light which God established in the hearts of His first people. In one swift act of rebellion, what once was strong became dim and faint. The light of creation would eventually be snuffed out in all people, a product we know as death. The light of communion with God became at once a smoldering wick, as Adam and Eve fled and hid in shame.

All at once, everything that had been accomplished now seemed lost. God’s creation drifted back into confusion and chaos. A fast as our modern day switch, the light of righteousness was turned off. A renewal was needed. A reigniting of God’s image in the hearts of mankind. Hope seemed non-existent, and it certainly felt lost, but it was hidden in the Seed of the woman. The promise of destruction given to Satan, was the same promise of hope given to the world: Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel." The promise of light had been given.

Hymn 8 

2: Light in Worship (God’s Presence among His people) (Light of our faith)

The blessing of spiritual light, which once was simple reality, now became shrouded in hope and mystery. God’s people would have to wait patiently by faith for deliverance from the enemy of God’s creation, death. Thousands of years would pass. Generation upon generation would be entrusted with a great promise, the Great Covenant of the Messiah. While the light which gave life to creation and the world continued strong, the light of faith grew weak under the guise of prosperity and expansion on the earth.

Men and women began to forget their Creator and the greater hope of eternal life in heaven. As physical light continued and remained constant, faith began to be thought of as unnecessary. Wickedness prevailed upon the earth. The parts of God’s creation, the sun, moon stars, trees, and mountains, soon became gods themselves in the different cultures of the world. What was established to create order in the universe led to a disorder of the highest degree in the heart - spiritual idolatry.

To keep the promise of the Savior secure; in order to save all people, God ordered and structured His people’s worship life; and light was a central theme. The lampstand in the tabernacle and temple was ordered by God to burn continually under the care of the priests. This was a symbol and reminder that God was with them always through the light of His Word. This reminder would keep the people focused on hearing and listening to that word and thereby renewing and building their hope in the coming Savior.    

God's people understood the importance of light and it became a central theme in their hymnbook of Psalms. Some familiar verses which stand as continual reminders of God’s light:

Psalm 18:28 For You will light my lamp; The LORD my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 43:3 Oh, send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; Let them bring me to Your holy hill And to Your tabernacle.

Psalm 89:15 Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound! They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.

Psalm 112:1-4 Praise the LORD! Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, Who delights greatly in His commandments. His descendants will be mighty on earth; The generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches will be in his house, And his righteousness endures forever. Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

Psalm 119:105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

May we keep God’s light strong and vibrant in our worship, that it may reign and rule in our hearts.

Hymn 72

3: A Light Promised and Revealed (Bethlehem Star) (Morning Star) (John 8)

On one uneventful evening in 1910 in Chicago, IL a homeowner named Clarence Hiller was busy painting the trim on his house. There didn’t appear to be anything special about this day but it would eventually change America forever. That evening, shortly after Hiller and his family went to bed, he soon awoke to sounds in his house. He looked outside and became suspicious when he noticed that a light near his daughter’s bedroom window was out. Clarence went downstairs to investigate. He soon came upon an armed intruder and began to wrestle with him. The burglar prevailed and shot Hiller twice, killing him on the spot.

Less than a mile from the scene, the police soon arrested a man who was injured and who also had blood on his clothing. The man claimed his injuries were the result of falling off a streetcar. The police suspected that he was the murderer, but they needed more evidence. Upon returning to the crime scene the authorities noticed that that the perpetrator had entered the home through the kitchen window. As they searched for clues, they noticed a fully intact handprint in the fresh coat of paint. What resulted was the first criminal case in America solved by fingerprint evidence, as they linked the identifying prints to the man they apprehended. Clarence Hiller had helped in solving his own murder case, without even knowing it.

Today we know very well the importance of fingerprint identification. Each person has a unique code of in their hands. Fingerprints can serve as clues to reveal the exact identity of someone. God gave us a set of unique clues to reveal the person of His Son, sent into the world to save fallen mankind. One type of these clues were the Old Testament prophecies. The many prophecies serve as a fingerprint identification of the Coming One, and they reminded people of who He would be so they would be ready for His advent.  

As we consider the value of light and its central them to the Scriptures, it shouldn’t surprise us that light was the focus of some of these prophecies. In Numbers 24:17, God used the wicked prophet Balaam to accomplish His will by bringing a prophecy of the Messiah to the King of Moab by saying: “I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; A Star shall come out of Jacob; A Scepter shall rise out of Israel, And batter the brow of Moab, And destroy all the sons of tumult.”

Jesus was called the “Star of Jacob,” a sign that stuck with many, including the Wise Men of the East who sought the birthplace of the Christ-child by following His star. They too, followed prophetical evidence given by Micah, "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting."

The prophet Isaiah foretold of this event in another prophecy: Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, shine; For your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. 2 For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, And deep darkness the people; But the LORD will arise over you, And His glory will be seen upon you. 3 The Gentiles shall come to your light, And kings to the brightness of your rising. 4 "Lift up your eyes all around, and see: They all gather together, they come to you; Your sons shall come from afar, And your daughters shall be nursed at your side. 5 Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you. 6 The multitude of camels shall cover your land, The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah; All those from Sheba shall come; They shall bring gold and incense, And they shall proclaim the praises of the LORD.

Jesus confirmed this prophetical testimony in His own ministry, when He plainly stated, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life (John 8:12).” This connection to light, revealed first in the work of Jesus and confirmed through the miraculous signs of His birth, remains a central theme in the Christian faith. It is very much connected to the power and completion of the first light in Creation. Just as Jehovah established life and order through commanding light into existence by His Word, so He re-established the same in the hearts of people through the light of His Work through Jesus. On that silent night in Bethlehem, order and completion once again reigned through Jesus Christ.

Hymn 88 

4: The Legacy of the Light (Sin and Forgiveness)

Just as light became a central figure in Old Testament worship after God created the world, so it has become central to our modern worship after Jesus came as the Light of the World. Yet, we don’t have a golden lampstand in our sanctuary that remains lit at all times. We do have candles on the altar reminding us of God’s abiding presence. We have lights on our Christmas tree reminding us of the light of Bethlehem, both above and in the manger.

These signs are good and useful for our worship today, but the legacy of the light in Jesus is much more than just a sign. John explains in his first letter: This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:5-7).

John was speaking about something greater than a ray of sunshine. Our use of the Light found in Jesus today comes through the Law and Gospel of God’s Word. When the Law teaches us of our wickedness and sin, it casts a dark shadow of despair upon our hearts and lives. When we forsake God through sinful thoughts and actions, we are delving deeper into the darkness of chaos and disorder, the very same thing that first ruined God’s creation. However, the Gospel brings us back to the light. The Gospel shines the love of God upon our hearts, and reveals the sacred and eternal truth of Christ crucified. And the light always defeats the darkness. This is ultimately why Christians rejoice at Advent and Christmas. The child born in Bethlehem would make the highest payment for our mistakes before God.

We see the power of this illumination, Law and Gospel, and where we can find it in 2 Peter 1:19-21: And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; 20 knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, 21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.

Jesus left us a legacy of light through His inspired Word. We have hope and comfort each time we use that Word in written, spoken, and sacramental form. The contrast between light and darkness has been apparent from the very beginning of the world. It has also been a central theme in God’s revelation to people, throughout all ages of history. We who live in these final days, awaiting the second advent of the Messiah, continue to reinforce this distinction, for ourselves and for the rest of the world. All must know about God’s light and its power over the darkness of sin, just as Jesus said in John 3:19-21: "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 "For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 "But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."

May this next hymn ever by our prayer, Yes, Come, Oh, Come Immanuel, Christ our Lord. 

November 29, 2015 - Galatians 4:4-5

Podcast: http://redemption-clc.podomatic.com/entry/2015-12-02T05_03_35-08_00

Theme: The Best Example of Obedience is also the Only Way to Life

Galatians 4:4-5

When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

Today we begin the season of Advent, which means “Coming” or “Appearance.” We call this time of year by that name because we are focusing on our Lord’s coming to earth in human form and so Advent concludes on Christmas Day. You’ll notice that our altar cloths are also a new color today. Purple is the traditional color for Advent because it represents Christ’s entrance into the world as the King of Kings, what we sang about in our opening hymn.

Advent is certainly a joyful time of the year and it reminds us of many reasons to praise the Lord. But this morning we look at one thing that is often not associated with Advent; the honor, respect, and obedience that children are to give their parents. This is the theme of our service today as we focus on the Fourth Commandment. And although it may not be a traditional thought around Advent time, it fits well. For what we see is that Jesus came to the earth, born as a baby, for the express purpose of being obedient. He took on human parents, if you will, and gave them the honor due under God’s Law; while respecting His heavenly Father at the same time.

When you get down to it, the season of Advent has a lot to do with obedience. But the truly amazing thing is that this isn’t some minor coincidence in the Scriptures and something to sit back and ho-humly say, “oh, that’s nice.” The obedience that Jesus displayed during His first Advent was absolutely essential to His entire work as Savior. Without obedience, there would have been no sacrifice for sins. What we see through this is not only an example that is left for our lives, but the very path to heaven opened freely for us.

It’s absolutely true that Jesus is an example for our lives. The way that He respected Mary and Joseph, even though He was also their eternal God, stands as a testament to us when we think of our parents. Mary and Joseph didn’t even deserve Jesus’ respect, and yet He showed it anyway because it needed to be done. How often we, even into adulthood, treat our parents in shameful manner, often because we think that they don’t deserve our respect. You’ll notice that nowhere in the fourth commandment does God say we should only respect our parents in so far as they deserve it. In contrast, He expressly points out that we are to submit to them because He has put them in our lives. There’s plenty of other passages from the Scriptures that reiterate this point which we simply don’t have time to address directly. But the constant theme is clear, we are to respect those in authority because God has appointed them to that position. And furthermore, each time we fail, we are also disrespecting God.

So, yes, Jesus lives as our example; but if that’s all He is than we’re still left in our sins. The very purpose of our verses from Galatians today is to show us that Jesus is also the Redeemer from sin. Paul says that Jesus was born in the position to take our place, as One who was “under the law.” To be “under the law” is to be subject to the law and all of its demands. Certainly this pertains to the more than just the law of the fourth commandment. We could say that this passage is a perfect example of the hope we can have when faced with all of the Ten Commandments. But today we consider the human Christ-child; and as a child He had earthly parents. That makes the fourth commandment stand out in particular.

What’s the point of telling us that Jesus was “born under the law”? To lead us to why He had to come in that position – to redeem the ones caught under the law. As God, Jesus was above the law. In fact, He was the author of the law. There was no need for Him to keep the law because He was already perfectly in tune with it. But His incarnation introduced something new. From the moment He chose to take human form; the very second that the Father chose to send His only Son, Jesus would eventually have to be subjected to that law.

This was a new dimension for God, coming as One born under the law, who was required to keep all of its righteous commands. All of this was needed because only under that scenario could redemption be acquired for all people. Jesus could have stayed above the fray, and never have come down to our level. Nothing would have really changed for Him for He wasn’t the one who introduced the disastrous change of sin into the world. In that situation Jesus could have remained an example for us, though One we would never be able to live up to. But that situation, as nice as it may sound on the surface, is one that should fill our hearts with gloom, for there is no redemption in it.

In order to be a Savior, Jesus had to be more than an example. He had to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. But to do that He had to get His hands dirty by experiencing the sinful world as we experience it, fully subject to all the temptations, dangers and potentials for sin. And the first step along that path was to get hands of His own, through His conception and birth.

This is the outstanding miracle that we have the blessed privilege of celebrating each Christmas season. God came as a human and lived the perfect obedient life that the world had never seen before and has never seen again. But we must learn even more than this amazing fact. We must also believe and trust that God did this for you and me, not just to show us the way, but to unlock that way for us. The way you look at Jesus is not a “believe what you want to” type thing. Your life with God hinges on what you believe about His Son. Remember this striking statement on the matter from Jesus: “Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord! ' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to Me, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in Your name, drive out demons in Your name, and do many miracles in Your name? ' 23 Then I will announce to them, 'I never knew you! Depart from Me, you lawbreakers (Matthew 7:21-23)!”

This is only one of many similar statements from Jesus. Think of it in terms of our theme for today. Many people look to Jesus as the miraculous Child born on Christmas; a product of the virgin birth and the very Son of God who came “born under the law.” That’s all true, and rest assured that many in churches across the world confess it! But if we don’t also include the rest who Jesus is, the Redeemer who rescues fallen and lost sinners who are not members of God’s family with Him, we are no better off than the most wretched scoffer.

I believe we need this kind of a wake-up call in Christianity, particularly in America and particularly at Christmas time. Jesus did not go through all the pain and hardship of being born under the law just be looked at as a Godly example of the right path to heaven, but nevertheless a path we must travel by ourselves. The reality of our time is that many who claim to call Him “Lord” are preaching and promoting that very thought. It sounds good on the outside, and we really can’t argue with the doctrinal truth, but it leaves us in the rat race of the law by leaving out redemption.

If at the end of the day I believe everything about Galatians 4:4-5 but leave out the importance of what that little word “redeem” means, I’ve lost and I have only myself to blame for it. Those who leave simple Christians with the impression that Jesus is a great Master and Guide, but not the total and complete Savior from sin, are doing more damage than any persecutor has ever done to God’s Church. The scene that Advent paints is not just as a cozy and cute manger scene of peace and joy on Christmas night. Our hearts must also see the impending purpose of the incarnation. The humble life of obedience and servitude that our Savior endured which absolutely had to end at the cross in death. Advent marks the beginning of that long walk to Calvary, as the battle line that was drawn in Eden begins to take shape on earth.

Think now of what this means as you consider primarily the fourth commandment obligations in your life. If Jesus is only a guide and example for your life, you don’t have to be as upset about your lack of showing respect. There’s wiggle room for improvement if you just try harder and pray more. As a church we don’t have to emphasize the importance of the commandments as much, for they become broad and arbitrary in their application to our lives. Furthermore, God’s expectations for you become loosened and your focus drifts from what He alone has done to what you need to do better. Your faith won’t feel dead or weak, because you’ll constantly being doing things, always striving to improve. But at the end of the day, there is no difference in your life, because you’re still just running along on the treadmill of God’s law, with no end in sight.

That’s the result of looking at Jesus as just the Great Teacher, the Rabbi, and guide. When it comes to Advent or the Christmas season, not much is changed on that path. Everything from Galatians 4 remains the same, except that one tiny word, “redeem.” But what a difference that word makes! All the power of God to salvation is unlocked in that word. The Holy Spirit expressly put that word in these verses so that we could calmly step off the treadmill of the law rest in the peace of forgiveness. Do we still run? Yes, but in the freedom of Christ’s redemption. It’s the response of our faith, the joyful activity of obedience and service that comes when you know with full confidence that your salvation does not hinge on everything you do! Paul likened it to fighting the good fight. Yes, we do it all the time as Christians, but only because our Savior did it perfectly for us first.

That’s what it means that Jesus is our Redeemer. Without that concept, there is no faith and consequently no life with God. When it comes to the fourth commandment don’t shortchange respecting your superiors, especially your parents. The obedience we display mirrors and reminds us of the very obedience of the cross which started with the young Christ-child respecting His parents. God descended to earth to not only to show us what that obedience looked like, but to give us the ability to practice it in our lives. Every time you respect someone out of loving obedience to Christ, not out of the threat of the law, it’s a testament to the power of God’s redemption. This is the victory of our faith, the results of which we live with and display each day; a victory that was put into action that very first Advent. Amen.

The peace of God which surpasses all understanding will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.