As early as Genesis 3:15 our Creator promised the human race a way out of our mess of disobedience. The anticipation begins…. He promised to send a savior to crush the enemy, the deceiver. When Jesus showed up in Bethlehem about 2,000 years ago, some understood, and many were still deceived.
So what is different now? We are on the other side of the Cross of Easter and the in filling of Pentecost. We can truly celebrate the joy of the coming of our long-expected savior. The lights, the decorations and the presents and the ‘Christmas spirit’ full of joy and giving are all intended to point us to the gift of God, the only one who can save us from ourselves.
1. Come, thou long expected Jesus,
born to set thy people free;
from our fears and sins release us,
let us find our rest in thee.
Israel’s strength and consolation,
hope of all the earth thou art;
dear desire of every nation,
joy of every longing heart.
2. Born thy people to deliver,
born a child and yet a King,
born to reign in us forever,
now thy gracious kingdom bring.
By thine own eternal spirit
rule in all our hearts alone;
by thine all sufficient merit,
raise us to thy glorious throne. *
Thank you Jesus for coming. I do not understand how God became man. I do know, however, the difference the presence of Your Spirit makes in my life every second of every day. Thank you for Your unending source of hope, joy, peace, and fulfillment. Continue to teach me to look to You for these and to receive them with the same unmerited favor they are given so freely to all who choose You. Amen
*Charles Wesley, 1707-1788, The United Methodist Hymnal Number 196
