For all that we think we know…we don’t know much. But we do know that as God delivered the infant Moses for a future purpose…He has delivered us for a reason. We don’t know the future…but we know Him who holds the future. We know that death has no power over us because Christ has power over death.

A Christmas Promise from an Unbeliever?

The Law and the Gospel are both teachings from God intended to have two different effects on sinful human beings. The Law of God demands perfection and is intended to humble us and to create fear. The Good News of the Savior Jesus is intended to chase that fear and give peace and joy.

God offers all people forgiveness for sins…but not to those who are not sorry for their sins against God (Contrition) or who do not trust in the Savior, Jesus Christ (Penitence). God calls upon every sinner to confess their sins, to sorrow over them and make every effort to avoid them. He also promises pardon to all those who trust in His Son. We see that in our Scripture Lessons this Sunday.

This Sunday we look back on Jesus’ Coming and Birth when we light the Bethlehem Candle. In our Scripture Lessons we look forward to His Coming in Glory! Join us!

There is so much deception in this world.  Fear not, God has equipped us to deal with it.  He has promised to deliver us and has in His Son.  He has given us His Word so that we are not deceived. He has given us every reason to offer praise and thanksgiving.

There are no little things.

Our Bible Lessons each have something to do with patience. 

The Prophet Malachi – the last OT Prophet – reveals that even God’s patience has limits.  Judgment is Coming. When persecuted we should pray for patience and thank the LORD that we are counted worthy to suffer for Him. God’s patience ran out for those who rejected the Savior when He came…the evidence is in the fact that not one stone remains upon another.

New…we human beings are enthralled with new, especially the newest and the greatest things. If you don’t think so, just wait until the next new I-Phone comes out and people lose their minds. 

Our Gracious Creator God has promised new too. New Relationship, New Heavens — He promises us a new heaven and a new earth, a new relationship with God by faith, and a new life without sin and death. Glimpse of New — In the Revelation, the Apostle John was given a glimpse of New in Christ. Nothing Old in New — Jesus tells us what that New Life will be like…and what it won’t be like.

When it comes to real love and mercy…we don’t even compare to the LORD God.  It’s truly evident in our Scripture Lessons.

In the OT Lesson — The LORD God distinguishes Himself from every example by forgiving sin and showing Himself a God of Love.

In the EP Lesson — The Love of God surpasses every example of human love.  God sent His priceless treasure to die for enemies…so great was His Love.

The LORD came to seek the lost.  Even those hated and cast off by society as unlovable and not worth saving.