Tonight on Christmas Eve, we lean into the power of a simple question: why? Jesus became human, embodied and fulfilled countless prophecies and scriptures, and did it all in a way and place that few people expected. But why? The story of Christmas gives us a picture of joy and hope that can and does exist in all circumstances and against all odds.
Our world has an awkward relationship with power and position. Most of us have experienced abuses of power and position being leveraged for less than Christ-like reasons. We often think of power as an over-and-against move, but scripture paints another picture of leader, power, and king. Jesus was to come and be the king of all kings, above and more powerful than all the
previous kings. Yet, he came with humility, seeking justice, and living a selfless life.
Since I was young, I have heard Christians talk about Jesus being our Lord and Savior. This implies we are being saved from something or someone. Too often, our answers are anemic or at best incomplete. Jesus saves us from going to hell, and one day when we die, we go to heaven with God. Which is all true. AND. Jesus promises that his saving changes our today as well. That he saves us from the narratives of our world that leave us longing for more. That he saves us from a life driven solely by what you can produce or make or earn. Jesus comes to save us not just for one day in the future, but to transform how we live today also.
It is always the darkest just before dawn. The prophet Isaiah wrote to people who felt like the world they had known their whole lives was gone, and that it was gone because God left them. God went quiet, or at best, where was God? Isaiah then speaks of a light that will come and shine into the darkness. Not to remove all of the darkness, but to bring hope, to remind us all that God is still up to something, that God is at work even in the challenges.
The Old Testament names that one day there will be a child born of a virgin, and his name will be Emmanuel, which means God with Us. That’s such a churchy phrase, God is with us. As the prophet Isaiah spoke those words, it was a game changer. God would be involved in our day-to-day life, God would become a human like us in a grand act of love to save humanity from ourselves. God would step into our story in a concrete way, and still walk with us in the highs and lows of everyday life.
As we start a new year it is natural to reflect on 2023, and look ahead towards our hopes and dreams for 2024. We will look at Jeremiah 29 and reflect on what growing in 2024 can look like no matter how you are starting the year.
Luke’s description of the Church in Acts is 2,000 years old. That said, the model for a Christian community Luke lays out in this short passage is just as relevant today as it was so long ago. If the Church wants to live out the call as a community of believers, then it ought to examine Luke’s words in Acts 2:42-47.
In this season we reflect on the joy Christ brings, and we remain in awe of how our King of kings took on flesh and became our savior. But our awe is not just for a season. Every day we can point to the beauty and majesty of the Gospel.
In Jesus’ arrival, God communicates much about Jesus’ coming ministry, and the path to save humanity. The invitation to redemption would be extended far and wide, and God’s plan to reconcile with his people would be direct, loving, and seek to invite those in who had typically been overlooked.
For many years the people of Israel prayed for a savior who would draw them back towards God, and restore their nation. They studied prophecy about this coming savior so that they would be able to know when he comes, and celebrate his arrival. And yet, Jesus comes into the world without notice, leads three years of ministry, mostly without notice from the very people studying so they would not miss him.
We only have a few places we hear about Jesus before he was an adult. Even from a young age we see that Jesus was fully human, and deeply loved God the Father. Like all of us Jesus had to grow and mature into who God created Him to be.
John starts his gospel by telling us that the word became flesh and dwelt among us. Of all the ways Jesus could have entered into this world, it matters that Jesus became a human. His arrival tells us about his mission and purpose.