At this evening’s Christmas Eve service (we will livestream it at 7PM PST), we will be reminded of the Apostle John’s account to the Christmas story:
Joh 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (2) He was in the beginning with God. (3) All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In him was life, and the life was the light of men….
Joh 1:14-18 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (15) (John bore witness about him, and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks before me, because he was before me.’”) (16) For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. (17) For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (18) No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, he has made him known.
He dwelt among us…and we are not consumed! This is the real miracle of Christmas. That the holy, holy, holy God who is a consuming fire, could come down from heaven’s glory and talk to us face to face on the greatest rescue mission ever conceived.
Christ is our ultimate and certain hope. In all of our battles with evil in this present fallen world – in Satan’s territory – we must constantly set our eyes on Him, on His certain promises, and on the new heavens and earth that are coming. Our trials and troubles and sufferings are in His hands. He is sovereign down to the last hair on our heads and absolutely nothing can ever separate us from His love.
Most all of us have known that separation, right? God’s love never fails, but wicked people often profess love to us, then turn it off in a moment. Christ will never, ever do that and we as His people who love one another will never abandon those who also belong to Him.
May the Lord bless and guide and keep you all in the coming year. Merry, merry Christmas to you.