How do you thank everyone who has diligently prepared, the last few months, to lead us in the celebration of our Savior’s birth?
First, let’s give thanks to the Lord for blessing us with individuals that have great abilities and hearts eager to honor Him and lead us in worship. They are, in truth, God’s gift to us.
Jeremy, Alayne, Melissa and Mindy have shouldered the greatest responsibilities for the past two Sunday nights. In addition, there are many others who also deserve our gratitude.
The members of our choir and the musicians who joined us the first Sunday evening in December.
The parents and teens who worked with our children throughout the fall to prepare for the program this past Sunday evening.
And our dear children.
I say to all of you on behalf of the congregation: "Thank you, and may God bless you for your diligent and faithful service."
I also want to thank our secretarial staff who prepared the programs to assist us in following the adult choir’s cantata and the children’s pageant.
I’m confident there are others that I should mention, so forgive me if I have temporarily overlooked your contribution.
Of course, what is of greatest significance is the reason for all these special times of worship each December. . . .
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It still boggles my mind to try to comprehend the idea that it is a fact of human history that somewhere between 6 and 4 BC, God became a man. Born of a virgin, He grew to become a man. And then, having no sin became sin for us. At Calvary He died to pay the penalty for our transgressions. On the third day He rose victorious over sin, death and the grave so that, by grace through faith, we might be delivered from sin’s curse and power.
Often you’ll hear someone say, "He is the reason for the season." And that’s true.
But always remember, it is also true that "You are the reason for the season." If by grace through faith He is your Savior, Lord and King, it was for you that He came, lived, died and rose again. For He has loved you since before the foundations of the world were set into place.
Think about that.
Talk about an idea nearly impossible to comprehend! But, as my friend and fellow pastor Bob Drake often says, "That’s why we call it good news."
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This will be the final newsletter prior to 2010. Linda and I extend to you our prayers for a wonderful Christmas and a blessed new year. Please know (and believe): You are God’s gift to us. We are amazed by His goodness in allowing us the opportunity and privilege to serve you in His Name. We love you.
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This coming Sunday we will look, one last time during Advent, at the prophecy of Jeremiah. We’ll be in chapters 32-33. We’ll consider quickly the strange story of Jeremiah 32, look for a moment at the end of Jeremiah 52, and then focus particularly on Jeremiah 33.15-16.
Christmas is about a righteous Branch that sprouted from the stump of Jesse, from David’s line, to save us that we might live in safety. His name? "The LORD our Righteousness."
This precious Branch is, indeed, the reason for the season.
Paster Caines