Sue O’Donnell. 27.12.20
“When He became man He expressed God’s nature perfectly. Not only is He the Word through whom everything was brought into being, but the whole of creation is sustained through Him.” (Hebrews 1 v 3 The Truth)
In the midst of an earthly night
All was perfectly normal, at least initially,
Until suddenly shone a heavenly light
Announcing visibly the glory of God.
The light was symbolic surely?
For the Child born to Mary was Christ Jesus,
The Lord of our forgiveness,
Light of wisdom, truth, revelation, holiness
Will always put flight to sin’s darkness.
The Christ Child was born for this purpose.
The love of the Lord God is gracious.
Freely given to us, this holy love liberates us.
“At His appointed time God sent His Son, born of a woman and born under the law, that they might be adopted as His sons (daughters).” (Galatians 4 v 4 The Truth)
It is being freed from sin which gifts us peace,
A real release from fear and worry,
By a power of love we can never, ever repay.
God’s grace is revealed as most generous.
We fail to measure up to His will, wishes,
Directives, hopes, ambitions for us,
In ways far too many to count.
To remedy the situation God sends a Baby!
He knows we would be totally overwhelmed,
Jesus, the Messiah was to come
In all the majesty of His rightful glory.
Therefore love manifest comes in fragility.
“Joy to the world, the Lord is come. Let earth receive the King!” (Opening of a Christmas Carol)
Jesus arrives in humility, in poverty, not to alarm us,
But instead to charm us certainly.
All the world is awed by the astounding wonder
Of a new born baby, a marvel of life.
In addition, our Father of surprises,
Allows His Son to be born to a childless wife.
How precious we must be to the Trinity!
All Three love us differently, yet in unity.
The Trinity love us wisely, knowing what is best for us.
God in Three Persons does not love us because we deserve this.
We do not measure up at all to His holy standards.
Knowing this our Father forgives us, to offer us a new start.
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm.” (Song of Songs 8 v 6)
A new start made possible when Jesus lives to die for us,
A death on a †, a sacrifice paying the highest price.
God’s love is patient, kind, caring and forgiving.
Love being stronger than death, the breadth,
Height, depth of the enormity of holy love,
Jesus rose to new life to share this with us.
The knowledgeable joy of faith at Christmas
Understands and appreciates this grace.
The grace of Christmas is Christ born for us,
Here as the Saviour of the entire world.
Come, worship and adore Him, the new born King,
On earth to bring our salvation to completion as was promised.
“For the grace of God that bring salvation has appeared to all men...” (Titus 2 v 11)
“...giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.” (Colossians 1 v 1)
God from God, Light from light, we honour and adore You, rejoicing at Your birth, the first tangible sign of God’s promise to save us from sin, death and sorrow.
In our seasonal joy, please build up and strengthen our faith to have no limits, no doubts, no insecurities, even no worries, for You are ever with us, our living hope.
In the account of sacred Scripture, that Your Son, Father God, was “...the brightness of Your glory and the express image of Your person, upholding all things by the word of His power...” (based on Hebrews 1 v 3) This is the truth we are to live by, the Kingly authority of Christ Jesus.
“When He had Himself purged our sins, He sat down at the right hand of You, the Majesty on high.”
(based on v 3) An amazing happening is narrated vividly, truthfully. Thank You for the teaching and revelation.
May Your Spirit direct us to live a life of holiness, the life the Lord Jesus offers us, a blessed share in His own life of love, of obedience to our Father, of reverence.
Oh to be made holy! We have been loved to become loving. We have been shown what uprightness involves, to make us upright. Godliness calls for some self denial. May the Holy Spirit help us to accomplish this.
May we strive to live in the light of all holy wisdom and truth as presented to us in the life, teachings and example in the life and death of our Saviour.
All praise, all thanks and all glory ever be from now, as dearest Father, “You have delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of Your love.” (based on Colossians
1 v 13)
May the Holy Spirit help us to develop our confidence in a life well lived, because we follow the Master very closely. We are honoured to have such a fine Teacher, thank You.
Jesus is the hope, peace and joy of this season, even to the end of time. His love, Spirit taught and brought, is beautiful and bountiful.
Father God, thank You for the enormity of holy love, so powerful and so beneficial. “In Christ Jesus, the whole building of living stones...is built to be a holy temple housing the Lord’s presence.” (Ephesians 2 v 21)
May we not fail in our pursuit of moving through life in the closest possible friendship with the Lord Jesus, that we may delight and honour You fully, Father.
You are able to do far more than we dare to imagine, think or even hope for through the power of holy love, made ours in Jesus, by the Holy Spirit.
Truly we are so grateful “So let the Lord Jesus’ glory be revealed. And let those who belong to Him live no longer for themselves.” (Ephesians 3 v 23)
For this is why we celebrate this season of Christmas. Oh the blessings of peace, of goodwill to all people everywhere. We rejoice to receive our Lord and Saviour. Amen.
Images by Artist Christine Garwood
http://www.christinegarwoodartist.co.uk/
Season
CHRISTMAS
Key Themes
BELIEF
