• Home
    • Gathering Guidelines
    • Ways to Give
  • Prayer Corner
    • Share a Request
    • Memorial Tribute >
      • Hetty Postma
      • Edna Kirby
      • Norman Hunter
      • Ina Rottier
      • Dennis Brommeland
      • Norris Thompson
      • Irv Wood
      • Ann Vander Kooi
      • Jack Demorest
      • Yde Vander Kooi
      • Ainsley Rose Wollf
      • Dick Mayer
      • David Rusnell
      • Bob McKay
      • Guy Deschatelets
      • Chloe Kroeger
      • Ida Barisoff
      • Gerard Zandee
      • Nick Dikur
  • About Valley
    • Annual Reports >
      • 2022 Annual Report
      • 2021 Annual Report
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
    • Membership Information
    • Who We Are
    • What We Believe
    • How We Are Governed >
      • Constitution & Bylaws
    • Where We Are Going
  • Ministries
    • Leadership Team >
      • Nomination Committee
      • Benevolent Ministry
    • Finance and Property >
      • 2022 Budget
      • Current Quarterly Report
    • Missions >
      • Missions Guidelines
    • Caring and Connecting
    • Christian Education >
      • Library
    • Worship >
      • Heritage House
  • What's Happening
    • Bulletin
    • Links
  • Photos
    • Annual Celebration >
      • 2022
      • 2021
      • 2020
      • 2019
      • 2018
      • 2017
      • 2016
      • 2015
      • 2014
      • 2013
      • 2012
      • 2011
      • 2010
    • 30th Anniversary
    • 25th Anniversary
    • Follow the Duck 2014
    • Mexico 2013
    • Follow the Crown 2013
    • "The Bridge"
    • 20th Anniversary
  • Messages
    • Archived Messages 2023
    • Archived Messages 2022
    • Archived Messages 2021
    • Archived Messages 2020
    • Archived Messages 2019
  • Blog
  • Contact Us
    • Directions
    • Directory
VALLEY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

The Christmas Story

12/17/2022

0 Comments

 
 He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. 
                                                                                               Matthew 28:6
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is one of the great pillars of the Christian faith.  Each spring we celebrate the empty tomb and the triumph of life over death.  We celebrate the truth that death has been swallowed up in victory (1 Corinthians 15:54).  Our joy is however, tempered by the reality of the cross, as we contemplate the injustice, humiliation and agony the Lord Jesus had to endure; that he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; he punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:4).

The Christmas story is different. In the birth of Jesus we experience a sense of wonder and joy as we celebrate the truth of the incarnation.  
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. (John 1:14)  Each December we come back to the story of Mary and Joseph and the babe of Bethlehem. We  embrace again the angelic message, I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people (Luke 2:10)  and rejoice with shepherds, glorifying and praising God (Luke 2:20).

​In the Christmas story the redemptive purposes of God are revealed. We ponder again the meaning of the angel's message to Joseph, you are to give him the name Jesus,
 because he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). We affirm the truth of the Apostle John when he writes, the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world (1 John 4:14).  We agree with Paul's testimony, Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

In the Christmas story the incomprehensible love of God is made known.  This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.
 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).  We marvel at such love, that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (John 3:16).

In the Christmas story the grace of God is on display.  John tells us the Son came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).  Our hearts are melted as we understand is it is through the 
grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved (Acts 15:11).  I think of the grace of God and freely confess with the Apostle Paul, the grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly (1 Timothy 1:14).   Jesus came, he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9).   He came so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7).

No wonder we are captivated by the beauty of the Christmas story, no wonder all who heard...were amazed at what the shepherds said to them (Luke 2:18).  As we move toward Christmas day, may you be lost in the  joy of the story of the birth of Jesus, may the message of His coming fill you with hope and peace as you worship the Christ of Christmas.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Ken Clarke has been the Pastor at Valley since 2007. He lives in the Oliver area 
    with his wife Janice. They have three adult children, Lisa, Scott & Tiffany (Riley, Charlie), Andrea & Jason (Noah, Luke).

    Categories

    All
    Christian Living
    Christmas
    Church
    Creation
    Easter
    Finishing Well
    Leadership
    Mexico
    Most Viewed
    Nature Of God
    Our Stories
    Parenting
    Prayer
    Relationships
    Worship

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012

4312 Black Sage Road Box 1235 Oliver, BC V0H 1T0 250-498-4829 valleyccc@hotmail.com