25/12/2024
Merry Christmas
Happy birthday of our Lord Jesus Christ
Yesterday we celebrated Christmas as a church family. We received new guests and all were amazing. We had dinner after a mix of Egyptian, New Zealand, European food. Very warm, very friendly, very family.
The message of Christmas is that.
Jesus was born for you. You are the purpose of His incarnation, to restore your relationship with God.
It was so easy for God to simply speak words, but instead, He humbled Himself, taking on human form and carrying the burdens of humanity. He lived as a human.
Imagine the most brilliant mind in the world living in a remote desert (Zerzara). Imagine this person living without using any of his intellect, abilities, power, or authority. Just like everyone else, living in poverty. For 30 years. A perfectly normal, natural life, even though he knew within himself that he was extraordinary. Yet, he choses to live an ordinary life. Without sin. (Philippians 2:5-11)
We still don't fully grasp the concept of Jesus' incarnation. Throughout history, churches have been divided over whether His two natures (divine and human) were mixed or separate, and how God experienced human life.
Paul said:
1 Timothy 3:16 ESV
"[16] Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory."
The message of Christianity is incredibly difficult to believe or understand. We must insist on presenting it truthfully. Every time we try to reason it out, we lose its wonder and glory.
We are all sinners, living according to our own desires and purposes, separated from God. We are deeply flawed and wicked. We are incapable of doing good (Romans 3:9-20).
But today:
Galatians 4:4 ESV
"[4] But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
Today is not an ordinary day. We celebrate the extraordinary event of God becoming a baby for you and me.
In Christianity, no day is ordinary. Because every day, God chooses to come again and again to the world through His people to redeem humanity.
Our God came before, is coming every day, and will come at the end of time.
In the beginning, He created man and woman in His image, even though He knew the immense cost.
Then, at the appointed time, He came as a baby to live a different life, to redeem us through His crucifixion and resurrection.
He then sent His Spirit to us, to transform us into His likeness every day. To live as new creations. To sanctify us by dwelling within us.
Furthermore, He comes to us and through us every day to redeem the world. To declare to all people that His kingdom is here and now. To call all people to repent, to turn away from their sins and wickedness, and to receive Him as Lord and Savior.
Finally, He will come again at the end of time to judge everyone who has not accepted Him, condemning them to eternal separation from Him in the lake of fire.
We have been promised no condemnation, for those who are in Jesus. This is the good news.
Today, a child is born, and He is the King of Peace. And we, His family, are princes and princesses of peace as well. Because He is within us.
If you have not yet encountered the mystery of Christianity, understood it, and experienced the joy of living it, today is a day of salvation because Jesus came for you. Ask Him to come into your life now, repent of all your past sins, and ask Him to be your King.
Let us pray.
