| 1 The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. – Matthew 1:1
Alright, here we go! Why not go ahead and start our first Christmas-themed Pastor’s Note with a multiple-choice question? Ready? Here goes…
- When you hear that Christmas is here, how are you most likely to respond?
A. It’s Finally Christmas?!
B. It’s Already Christmas?!
C. It’s Really Christmas?!
D. It’s Finally, Already, Really Christmas?!
So, which answer did you circle? The “It’s finally Christmas?!” people are those of us who have been counting down the days. The “It’s already Christmas?!” people are also counting down the days, but likely feel as though they’re falling behind. The “It’s really Christmas?!” people should have started counting by now, while the “It’s finally, already, really Christmas?!” people might as well give up on counting the days because it won’t change their preparedness one bit!
If you follow all that, it becomes obvious that we all approach Christmas in our own way. During this season our feelings can be all over the map. The anticipation as well as the expectations can be high. Some thrive this time of year while others just try to survive. Whatever answer you gave to the opening question, my prayer is when it finally, already, really is Christmas, we’ll each have hearts full of the promised Hope, Faith, Peace, and Joy of Christmas.
This Christmas we are studying Matthew 1 & 2. From the very first verse of Matthew 1, we see how Christmas is the fulfillment of the promise God made to Abraham. There is something invigorating about reflecting on the anticipation of the first Christmas. How would Mary and Joseph have answered the question above? After carrying Jesus, the Son of Promise for 9 months, would Mary have answered A, B, C, or D? How about Joseph who had to trust the words of the angel? And what about the world? What about the nation who waited for the promised Son to come and liberate them?
And again, I ask what about you and me? How are we approaching Christmas? However we’re feeling, now is a good time to pause and ask the Lord to prepare and focus us on the Promise of Christmas. Because it finally, already, really is here!
This Sunday is a special Sunday. Think of it as a Christmas kick off. You do not want to miss it. I hear the choir finally, already, really is ready to go!
Take some time to listen to the worship set to prepare your heart. (Especially ‘He Is’ by David Crowder)
Merry Christmas!
See you Sunday Church,
Jerry Lingenfelter
Senior Pastor |
