The King has come
The Promise of Christmas: A Reflection from the Pastor's Perspective
Happy New Year, everyone! As we step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on the incredible promise that Christmas brings to our lives. Yes, I know many of you have already packed away your decorations, but here at our church, we’re still celebrating the profound truth that the King has come. You might wonder, “So what? What difference does that make in my life today?” Well, let me share with you the difference that Christmas continues to make for each of us.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God’s grace extends to those who feel unworthy. Just look at the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew. It’s filled with names that remind us of God’s mercy, even when people have messed up. You see, the Christmas story is not just about a baby in a manger; it’s about the promise that God makes to us, a promise that holds true even when we stumble. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve messed up, this message is for you. [27:04]
Matthew’s audience was filled with religious folks who believed they had to earn their way to God through good deeds. But the truth is, we don’t get to God by what we do; we get to God because of what Jesus has done for us. He came to save us from our sins, and that’s the heart of Christmas. It’s not about how good we are; it’s about how good He is. [27:51]
Let’s take a moment to consider some of the characters in Jesus’s lineage. There’s Rahab, a Canaanite woman with a notorious nickname—Rahab the Prostitute. Why would she be included in the family tree of Jesus? Because God’s grace knows no bounds. Rahab recognized the power of God and chose to trust Him, and in doing so, she became part of the story of salvation. [30:35]
Then there’s King David, a man after God’s own heart, yet he had his share of failures. After committing a grave sin, David could have easily been cast aside. But instead, God sent Nathan to confront him, and when David repented, God forgave him. This is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. [47:23]
As we celebrate Christmas, we also celebrate the promise of joy and peace that comes through Jesus. The angel proclaimed, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” This joy is not just for a select few; it’s for everyone, including you and me. [51:06]
And what about peace? The promise of peace is central to the Christmas message. Jesus came to remove the barrier of sin that stands between us and God. If you’ve ever tried to negotiate your way into God’s favor, you know it doesn’t work. The only way to have peace with God is through the forgiveness that Jesus offers. [53:42]
As we enter this new year, I encourage you to embrace the promise of Christmas. You don’t have to be perfect to experience God’s love and forgiveness. You can have peace with God, regardless of your past. This is the beauty of the Christmas story—it’s a story of hope, redemption, and grace for all.
So, as we gather today, let’s remember what Jesus did for us. Let’s celebrate the joy and peace that He brings into our lives. And if you haven’t yet made peace with God, I invite you to take a moment right now to ask for His forgiveness and experience the joy of a fresh start.
Thank you for being part of our community, and may we carry the spirit of Christmas with us throughout 2025 and beyond. God bless you all!
Happy New Year, everyone! As we step into 2025, I find myself reflecting on the incredible promise that Christmas brings to our lives. Yes, I know many of you have already packed away your decorations, but here at our church, we’re still celebrating the profound truth that the King has come. You might wonder, “So what? What difference does that make in my life today?” Well, let me share with you the difference that Christmas continues to make for each of us.
Throughout the Bible, we see that God’s grace extends to those who feel unworthy. Just look at the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew. It’s filled with names that remind us of God’s mercy, even when people have messed up. You see, the Christmas story is not just about a baby in a manger; it’s about the promise that God makes to us, a promise that holds true even when we stumble. If you’ve ever felt like you’ve messed up, this message is for you. [27:04]
Matthew’s audience was filled with religious folks who believed they had to earn their way to God through good deeds. But the truth is, we don’t get to God by what we do; we get to God because of what Jesus has done for us. He came to save us from our sins, and that’s the heart of Christmas. It’s not about how good we are; it’s about how good He is. [27:51]
Let’s take a moment to consider some of the characters in Jesus’s lineage. There’s Rahab, a Canaanite woman with a notorious nickname—Rahab the Prostitute. Why would she be included in the family tree of Jesus? Because God’s grace knows no bounds. Rahab recognized the power of God and chose to trust Him, and in doing so, she became part of the story of salvation. [30:35]
Then there’s King David, a man after God’s own heart, yet he had his share of failures. After committing a grave sin, David could have easily been cast aside. But instead, God sent Nathan to confront him, and when David repented, God forgave him. This is a powerful reminder that no one is too far gone for God’s grace. [47:23]
As we celebrate Christmas, we also celebrate the promise of joy and peace that comes through Jesus. The angel proclaimed, “I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.” This joy is not just for a select few; it’s for everyone, including you and me. [51:06]
And what about peace? The promise of peace is central to the Christmas message. Jesus came to remove the barrier of sin that stands between us and God. If you’ve ever tried to negotiate your way into God’s favor, you know it doesn’t work. The only way to have peace with God is through the forgiveness that Jesus offers. [53:42]
As we enter this new year, I encourage you to embrace the promise of Christmas. You don’t have to be perfect to experience God’s love and forgiveness. You can have peace with God, regardless of your past. This is the beauty of the Christmas story—it’s a story of hope, redemption, and grace for all.
So, as we gather today, let’s remember what Jesus did for us. Let’s celebrate the joy and peace that He brings into our lives. And if you haven’t yet made peace with God, I invite you to take a moment right now to ask for His forgiveness and experience the joy of a fresh start.
Thank you for being part of our community, and may we carry the spirit of Christmas with us throughout 2025 and beyond. God bless you all!
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