“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:11
December 23-25, 2022
Families will be gathering in excited anticipation of the gift giving time of the year. Lost in the frenzy of shopping and looking for just the right gift can steal our attention. But the truth is: God is the greatest gift giver. He has no rival. An angel was dispatched to announce to humble shepherds that the gift of the ages was lying in a manger in Bethlehem. The gift was a Savior who would rescue hell-bound sinners from their bondage to sin. He was also a gift to Israel, none other than the promised Messiah, the anointed Prophet (Deut. 18:15; Acts 3:22-24). He delivered God’s message to a sin-cursed world. Baby Jesus was the anointed Priest, the Mediator between God and man (1 Tim. 2:5; Heb. 5:1-7). In the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant Jesus was the anointed King (Isa. 9:7; Lk. 1:31-32). The Savior, Messiah was the Lord, God’s gift of Himself (Phil. 2:9). Jesus was declared to be Lord because He was Lord, honored with highest office in the universe because of His victory over sin and death. Time is marching relentlessly on toward the final act in the drama of Christ’s redemption and His coming kingdom. Jesus rules over all and He is coming again. “Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift” (2 Cor. 9:15). Our gifts to one another, at best, are only reflections of God, the greatest gift giver of all time. H
“O Source of all Good, What shall I render to you for the gift of gifts, your own dear Son, begotten, not created, my redeemer, proxy, surety, substitute, his self-emptying incomprehensible, his infinity of love beyond the heart’s grasp.” (Adapted from The Valley of Vision)
Merry Christmas to all!