He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.
Matthew 28:6
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.
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.
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