Thoughts leading up to Christmas this year...
I am so exceedingly thankful for the church that Michael and I have been attending. We are undergoing a change in our lead pastor and it has been amazing to see the transition taking place. We have been so blessed to be under the teaching of truth that both of these men share. The sermons from the last three weeks (which I HIGHLY recommend and can be found here! ) are primarily where my thoughts have been stemming from.
First, as we approach Christmas time and all of its festivities, let us not have a lowly view of this baby Jesus in the manger. This baby Jesus is the living God. He is the perfect intersection of every excellency. He is perfect love, perfect justice, perfect joy, perfect peace, perfect patience, perfect kindness, perfect goodness, etc...all together in perfect unity! His perfect love does not negate perfect justice. He is the King of kings and the Lord of lords! He was God before He came and He came with incredible purpose. He came to save his enemies, all the sinners of the world. He came to save them by being crushed by them. The cross was his purpose. The cross, where love and justice come together perfectly. Perfect judgment for sin and perfect grace in saving sinners through Jesus. Consider that for a moment...as unsaved sinners we are under God's wrath, destined to be crushed by him; but through Jesus taking our place and being crushed for us we are reconciled to God! We no longer need to be crushed because He has taken our sin upon himself and been crushed for us! But it didn't end with the crushing! No, he overcame and conquered death! He lives! Consider this baby Jesus in relation to the lyrics of one of my favorite songs, "The First Place"...(Listen here!)
Jesus, the perfect picture of the unseen God
Maker of things we cannot comprehend
Wisdom, the earth displays your strength and beauty
Sovereign, yes every throne knows you are God
Every inch of this universe belongs to you, O Christ
For through you and for you it was made
Your creation endures by the order of your hand
So you must have in all things the first place
Victor, over sin and death you triumphed
Firstborn, you've shown us life beyond the grave
Bridge groom, we long for you in expectation
Jesus, your church rejoices to proclaim!
Incredible. Awesome. Amazing. Ah, how I love truth! Next thing on my mind: Grace. So much grace! Grace is the only reason I can see truth, the only reason I feel conviction for sin and the desire to be more like my Jesus. Grace is the reason any of us (sinners or redeemed) are living and breathing right now, let alone all the other blessings we are given. Hallelujah!
Finally, I wanted to share with you my favorite Christmas song, "Joy has Dawned" ( Listen here :) ). I was a freshman in college when I first heard this song and its truth touches my heart and excites me every time I consider its lyrics.
Joy has dawned upon the world
Promised from creation
God's salvation now unfurled
Hope for every nation!
Not with fanfares from above
Not with scenes of glory
But a humble gift of love
Jesus born on Mary!
Sounds of wonder fill the sky
With the songs of angels
As the mighty Prince of life
Shelters in a stable!
Hands that set each star in place
Shaped the earth in darkness
Cling now to a mother's breast
Vulnerable and helpless!
Shepherds bow before the lamb
Gazing at the glory
Gifts of men from distant lands
Prophesy the story!
Gold, a King in born today
Incense, God is with us
Myrrh, His death will make a way
And by His blood He'll win us!
Son of Adam, Son of heaven
Given as a ransom
Reconciling God and man
Christ the mighty champion!
What a Savior, what a Friend
What a glorious mystery
Once a babe in Bethlehem
Now the Lord of history!
Ah, and there I am again, absolutely in awe of my savior. I beg you not to have a lowly view of this baby in the manger. The world did not end yesterday, but it will end someday and we will come face to face with a holy God who hates sin. Jesus the lamb was crushed for our sin, but the lion king is coming to crush those who have not chosen to repent and follow Jesus. I pray that God's grace would allow you to see truth this Christmas and that you would treasure this Jesus.
Finally...I know I have shared two songs already, but I want to share my favorite song of celebration for God's conquering death with you. "Christ is Risen" by Matt Maher...Hallelujah! Celebration in song here!
Let no one caught in sin remain
Inside the lie of inward shame
We fix our eyes upon the cross
And run to him who showed great love
And bled for us
Freely you bled, for us.
Christ is risen from the dead
Trampling over death by death
Come awake, come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Christ is risen from the dead
We are one with him again
Come awake come awake!
Come and rise up from the grave
Beneath the weight of all our sin
You bow to none but heaven's will
No scheme of Hell, no scoffer's crown
No burden great can hold you down
In grace you came
Forever let your church proclaim
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
The glory of God has defeated the night!
Oh death! Where is your sting?
Oh hell! Where is your victory?
Oh Church! Come stand in the light!
Our God is not dead, he's alive! He's alive!
Blessings on your Christmas!
