Celebrating Christmas

This is something that I recently wrote to some new grandchildren that I've gained.

I’m planning on sending you one thought about Jesus coming each week. I’d like to help you to prepare to celebrate His coming, Christmas.

Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel (which means, God with us). Matthew 1:23

This is a favorite of mine. The thought that God is with me has meant so much. I don’t know if anyone told you, but I was married before. Her name was Linda. And one day she died. She was stung by a bee and died. That was a really hard time for me. But one thing that kept me going was this thought about God being with me. That meant that I wouldn’t have to deal with all the pain and the questions and all the rest alone. My God was right there with me to guide me through the hard times, to teach me what I didn’t know about living alone, to comfort me when the pain got to be too much and made me cry and sob. This gift of the comforting presence of God with me is something that Jesus gives to all who entrust themselves to Him. When I think about this gift, celebrating Christmas – Jesus coming – it just makes sense for me to celebrate. Jesus has come and has brought amazing gifts.

I hope that this helps you to celebrate also. And I send it to you with my love.

Grandpa Leon

Collect for the Week

Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Collect for the Week

Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen. 

Third Sunday of Advent

Collect for the Week

Merciful God, who sent your messengers the prophets to preach repentance and prepare the way for our salvation: 

Give us grace to heed their warnings and forsake our sins, that we may greet with joy the coming of Jesus Christ our Redeemer; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. 

Second Sunday in Advent

Gratitude: The Presence of God

There are many aspects to the salvation Jesus has provided. One of them is simply the comfort of God's presence. 'Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For Thou art with me.' This is something to cling to, something to enjoy, something to be happy about.

Unto You

Another Christmas. And for some of us, this Christmas joins quite a few other Christmases. And how many times have we heard the story of the angel’s message to the shepherds, the story that I read to you earlier? Can there be anything that we’ve missed over the years? Is there anything more to see? Actually, there is. There always is. We’ll never exhaust the wonders that are contained in the Scriptures. And the way we get to see more of what’s there is by paying close attention to the words, meditating carefully on the words.

So, today we’re going to look at some of the words of the familiar story. Listen again to what the angel said.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Luke 2.11

We’re not going to take the whole sentence apart. In fact, we’re only going to look at two words, ‘unto you’. We’re going to see what these two words have to teach us about the Gospel.

Incarnation

‘And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.’ Advent is about Jesus’ incarnation. While the word, ‘incarnation’, is familiar enough, taking even a moment to ponder what it means brings us into mystery and awe. The infinite God took on a very finite human body. I suspect that we will never really grasp what’s involved in that. But still, it’s good for us to do what we can to understand whatever we can about the Incarnation. To do that we’re going to use something Paul wrote as he explained and then applied the doctrine of Jesus’ Incarnation. Listen.

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2.5-11 [NASV]

Immanuel

What we’re going to do this morning is meditate on a bit of Scripture. As I’ve told you before, the Bible never commands that you read your Bible every day, though that’s a fine thing to do. But it does command you to meditate on it. Now, I say all that to make clear how important meditating on the Scriptures is. But don’t think that meditating on Scripture has to be anything complicated. It’s simply asking questions of the text and then doing what you can to answer those questions. Sometimes you’ll be able to come up with some really good answers and sometimes all you end up with are more questions, questions that will have to wait for some answers. In any event, it’s good to develop this discipline. Remember the example of the man in Psalm 1.

but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. Psalm 1.2

This morning we’re going to meditate on a text of Scripture that I know you are familiar with. I know that because I’ve preached on this same text every Advent for the last several years. And more than likely, I’ll preach on it again in future Advent seasons also. There’s plenty here to meditate on.

A Fairy Tale

Modern people deal with religious claims in different ways. One way they respond is to pretty much label it all a fairy tale. They don’t usually use those words, but that’s what they mean. Reading religious stories of miracles and all that sort of thing might make someone feel good, and that’s fine, but they didn’t really happen. So, they tell us that we can believe in the moral of the story but not the story itself. After all, it doesn’t really matter if the story is true as long as it helps you to feel better.

Now, when it comes to the story of the Gospel, that’s just wrong. The story can make you feel better, but it’s important to remember that the story is true. It really happened.

However, let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water. The Gospel actually is a fairy tale. It’s just that it’s a true fairy tale.

Immanuel

A seminary student once asked David Gordon about preaching on Jesus’ Advent. The student was thinking that after a while a pastor would run out of things to say. David’s answer went something like this. ‘There is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to preaching on Jesus’ Coming.’ After thirty-one years of preaching here, I have to agree. We will never run out of things to consider when we meditate on the coming of our Savior. So, this morning we return to a familiar bit of Scripture to see what else it has to say to us.

The Wedding

Jesus has come, and we are saved. There is so much packed into that short sentence, lots of good things included. Today, we’re going to look at another of those good things. Today, we look at our future.

Listen as I read from the first verses of Revelation 21.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son. But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.” Revelation 21.1-8

Excitement

We Reformed Presbyterians have a reputation. It’s frequently summarized by the phrase ‘the frozen chosen’. Our kind of being excited is very reserved. Let me give you an example. (Pause)Yeah, what you just did, it’s just like that. Now, I’m not sure that we need to become like some who, to my stoic sensibilities, are over the top. But I’m guessing that there might be room for some improvement.

Advent is a good time to work on this. This is a season when it’s good and right for us to get a little excited - dare I say it, a little emotional. After all, Jesus has come, and we are saved.

To help us in this, we’re going to take a look at Revelation 5. Here, John paints a portrait of Jesus. He paints with some brilliant colors to reveal who Jesus is and what He has done. As we look at John’s artwork we’re going to see what all the excitement is about and what to do about it.

Incarnation

We’re in the midst of Advent. And that gives us another opportunity to take some time to consider Jesus’ coming and what it means for us. Today, we’re going to take a look at a verse that you’ve heard lots of sermons on, especially at this time of year. But I hope that before I finish that there will be something worth your time to consider and to be encouraged by.

In his Gospel John wrote,

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us... John 1.14

Incarnation. God, the Son, became a man. He took on flesh. But He took on more than just flesh. He also took on human nature. God, the Son, was born as the man, Jesus. He was fully God and fully man. Not a new idea to any of you.

A Christmas Day Prayer

Almighty God, you have given your only-begotten Son to take our nature upon him, and to be born this day of a pure virgin: 

Grant that we, who have been born again and made your children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by your Holy Spirit; through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom with you and the same Spirit be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Book of Common Prayer

Gifts of Advent: Saved from Sin

For the last two weeks we have been looking at gifts of Jesus’ Advent. The first week we looked at His gift of peace. Last week we examined Immanuel, God with us. My goal in preaching those sermons was to help you understand the Gospel better. My goal for this week is the same, but I’m going to go about it a little differently. This week I’m going to talk about who you would be apart from Jesus and then who you actually are today, united to Him. I want you to understand yourself better. As you do that you will understand the Gospel better.

We start with some familiar words. Listen to what the angel said to Joseph.

She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1.21

Joseph

Her growing stomach struck me as grotesque.

Some other seed than mine engendered this:

Some stolen love, some alien, wretched bliss

Raped all integrity, all trust suppressed.

To consummate my pledge, by honor pressed,

Would violate that honor, transform kiss

To custom, love to duty, prove remiss

In truth, and make of joy a jest.

    Exhausted by despair's fatigue, I slept

    The torment of the God-forsaken dead.

    I tossed and turned, or when I woke, I wept,

    Until an angel stilled my fears, and said:

"Abandon doubt, and take this quiet boast:

The child she bears is by the Holy Ghost."

D. A. Carson

Matthew 1:18-25

A Different Look at Mary

It was not a silent night.
There was blood on the ground.
You could hear a woman cry
In the alleyways that night
On the streets of David's town.

And the stable was not clean.
And the cobblestones were cold.
And little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
Had no mother's hand to hold.

It was a labor of pain.
It was a cold sky above.
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love.

Noble Joseph at her side.
Callused hands and weary eyes.
There were no midwives to be found
In the streets of David's town
In the middle of the night.

So he held her and he prayed.
Shafts of moonlight on his face.
But the baby in her womb
He was the maker of the moon
He was the Author of the faith
That could make the mountains move.

It was a labor of pain.
It was a cold sky above.
But for the girl on the ground in the dark
With every beat of her beautiful heart
It was a labor of love.
For little Mary full of grace
With the tears upon her face
It was a labor of love.  

Labor of Love
Andrew Peterson

Gifts of Advent: Immanuel

Last week we started a short series on the Gifts of Advent. We looked at peace, the peace of God that passes all understanding. That is a gift of Jesus’ Advent which frees us from anxiety. This morning we’re going to look at another gift that Jesus has brought to us.

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (which means, God with us).  Matthew 1.22-23

Immanuel, God with us. Because of Jesus, this gift is ours to enjoy. And

Gifts of Advent: Peace

It’s Advent. It’s a time to remember the gifts of God given to us because Jesus has come. So, what I would like to do over the next couple of weeks is to take a look at a few of those gifts. In doing this I want to first, remind you of some things that you know. Being reminded of God’s goodness results in praise, always a good thing. But then, I also want to push some of what you know a little further so you will see a bit more clearly how it speaks to wise living.

What we’re going to look at today is something the angels said to those very surprised shepherds:

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. Luke 2.14

A Cry for His Advent

Our enemy, our captor is no pharaoh on the Nile.
Our toil is neither mud nor brick nor sand.
Our ankles bear no calluses from chains,
    yet Lord, we're bound.
Imprisoned here, we dwell in our own land.

Deliver us, deliver us.
Oh Yahweh, hear our cry.
And gather us beneath Your wings tonight.

Our sins they are more numerous
    than all the lambs we slay.
These shackles they were made with our own hands.
Our toil is our atonement
    and our freedom yours to give.
So Yahweh, break your silence if you can.

Deliver us, deliver us.
Oh Yahweh, hear our cry.
And gather us beneath Your wings tonight.

from Deliver Us

Andrew Peterson