Christmas

They were minding their sheep and minding their business when the angel suddenly appeared. In an instant, the darkness of night turned to brilliant light. The angel, coming from the presence of God, brought with him God’s glory, and the place lit up! There was light in the darkness! No wonder the shepherds were terrified! Let’s read their story.

In his book Essentials of the Christian Faith, theologian R. C. Sproul wrote about a time when a young man asked, “Are you saved?” Sproul answered, “Saved from what?” Sproul wrote, “The man was taken aback by my question. He obviously hadn’t thought much about the meaning of the question he was asking people.”

Today, we live in a crazy, confused world. Do you agree? A person says a seemingly innocent phrase. Someone else views the phrase as offensive and derogatory, even racist. Social media blows up. The person responsible apologizes profusely and retracts the statement. They are “cancelled” and labeled a pariah.

The religious leaders were offended that Jesus was having a meal with hated tax collectors. But they were not the only ones upset. The disciples of John the Baptist wondered why they had to fast while Jesus feasted. Jesus answered their question by likening himself to a bridegroom at a wedding celebration. 

Hebrews 13:20-21(NIV) Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

If you are searching and hungry, if you have unsuccessfully tried to fill your life with all the things of the world, today I ask you to trust in Jesus, the Bread of Life.

We are sinners and cannot pay our debt. Our best efforts fall short, so God did for us what we could not do for ourselves. He is our Ga-al, our Redeemer. He sent his son to release us.

Before Jesus comes again, the world will experience chaos like never before. The Bible describes this time as the great tribulation, and this will be the beginning of the end. Those living in that terrible time will need a Deliverer.

In the New Testament, Jesus came to be the Passover lamb. When John the Baptist saw Jesus walking down the road, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).