Monday, November 29, 2021

Immanuel: God With Us

Thanksgiving has come and gone.  But as followers of Christ, we strive to practice a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving daily, especially at this joyous time of year.   Let’s celebrate and rejoice in God’s most glorious gift: a baby born in a manger, who forever changed the world. How thankful we are for our Immanuel, “God with us,” the true meaning of Christmas!

 

Have you noticed that stores have been playing Christmas music since before Thanksgiving?  This time of year approaches with much anticipation, excitement, sentimentality, and hope.   No doubt as the month of December begins, we ourselves will be singing some familiar Christmas hymns with meaning and depth as well as some of the fun songs about reindeer, chipmunks and snow falling.  

The sights, sounds, smells, traditions, stories and memories of Christmas past, may bring lots of different emotions to our hearts.  But as we focus on the true meaning of Christmas, we will find our hearts able to rejoice even in the midst of difficult memories. 

 

So let us intentionally focus on Christ, “the reason for the season” as they say.  As we participate in, and look forward to all of our annual Christmas traditions, let’s keep Him as the center of our JOY and celebrations.  

 

Thank you to those who participated in Operation Christmas Child with Samaritan’s Purse to reach children all over the world this holiday season. We also provide the opportunity to serve  in our Outdoor Live Nativity as we give to our community a” Living Christmas Card” to bless them with visuals of what Christmas is really all about.  Most of our church family will enjoy giving in the Birthday offering for Christ so that we can help those in need this season.  Many of us will enjoy going Christmas Caroling to be a blessing to our shut-ins.  Our church family will delight in watching our children perform their Christmas program.  All of these events are traditions of our church to celebrate our Savior’s birth and share the Gospel.

 

In the words of one of our Christmas hymn, Oh Come All Ye Faithful, Joyful and Triumphant, Come let us adore Him!” Oh come let us adore Him, Christ our King! He is not only the baby in the manger but this promised baby is the omnipotent Creator of heaven and earth. To adore is to regard with the utmost esteem, respect and honor.  He deserves our adoration!  

 

For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:17

 

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.”  Is. 9:6

“At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  Phil. 2:10-11

 

The shepherds adored Him, and the angels praised Him.  We are reminded to come and worship the King of Kings! The Wise Men saw the star, rejoiced with exceedingly great joy, fell down and worshiped Him.  Then they presented their gifts to Him. (Matthew 2:10-11) Let’s praise and worship HimLet’s rejoice with much joy at such great a salvation He has provided!  What a privilege to present Him with the gifts of ourselves in service, our time, using our talents to help others and to point them to Christ, all for God’s glory! 

 

May each of you enjoy a Christ-centered Christmas season!  I am praying for you.

 

In Christ’s love,

Pastor Paul, Senior Pastor

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