December
24th, 2015
In the Name of Christ Jesus, our Newborn King!
In the Name of Christ Jesus, our Newborn King!
Even
from the garden, as the shame and sorrow of the fall was hanging in
the air, Christ Jesus' coming was promised. Looking at Satan, who
had just tempted Adam and Eve, the Lord God promised that He Himself
would come and crush Satan under His heel. Years passed, the the
promise was renewed. It was renewed to Abraham – no Abraham, your
son, your Isaac will not die – I myself will be the true Lamb of
God that will take away the sin of the world. Years passed, and
prophets foretold the coming of the Messiah. In the midst of
darkness, a light would come, the true Light, the Light of Light –
for unto to us a Child is born. Even as the Kingdom of Israel was
failing, the promise was that from the stump of Jesse a true and
better King would rise – a Savior who would reign for all eternity.
Yet
again, years passed, and in the fullness of time God sent the Angel
Gabriel to the Virgin Mary, and by the power of the Holy Spirit she
conceived Christ Jesus, her Lord. And she gave birth to Him in a
manger, in humble circumstances. The high and proud rulers trembled
with fear for what this would do to their kingdoms – the poor and
lowly heard angel choirs rejoicing. The foolish fought and plotted -
the wise bowed down before their infant Savior, bringing gifts
befitting a royal priest who would die to save His people.
Yet
again, years have passed. Over two thousand of them. And here we
are, gathered in joy, in celebration, in thanksgiving for the birth
of Christ Jesus, our Savior. The words of the Old Testament have
proven true. Our Savior has come, and with His death and
resurrection the powers of Satan, of sin, and yes, even the powers of
death have been shattered and broken. And even today, in the midst
of the darkness of this night, we proclaim the light of Christ Jesus
our Savior. For we are not alone. God Himself has become Man,
become one of us, has won us salvation. Now, this moment, your
Brother Christ Jesus sits upon the heavenly throne, surrounded by the
angels, surrounded by the saints of the ages, and He rules the world
with truth and grace. This, my dear friends, is why this night I can
wish you a hearty and merry Christmas, for Christ Jesus came down
from heaven to win you your salvation, and He shall come again to see
that you have it in full, all thanks and praise be to God our Father,
and our Lord and Savior Christ Jesus! In the Name of Christ Jesus,
our Newborn King + Amen.
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