In step

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Revelation 12:1-17

She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth.
Revelation 12:2

What is the real impact of Christmas?

For many of us in the Western world, the story of Christmas has a familiar cast of characters: Joseph and Mary, the shepherds, angels, the wise men, some sheep and cows to complete the manger scene—and, of course, Jesus. Front-yard displays in our neighborhoods might also include Santa, some elves, a few reindeer, and even some Star Wars characters.

But the Bible shows that Christmas has a much greater and more serious significance. Christ’s coming into our world spells the beginning of the end for Satan’s power on earth. The devil wants to do all he can to destroy Christ’s coming, or at least to distract our attention from it, because he knows that Jesus has come to break the power of sin and death.

If it sometimes seems like a battle to remember Christmas and to focus on Christ as the center of it, we should not be surprised. Our celebration each year has cosmic significance—even eternal significance—and the devil “prowls around like a roaring lion” looking to undermine our joy that Christ has come (see 1 Peter 5:8). But we also remember God’s provision in the face of danger. Just as God protected the baby Jesus from human and superhuman enemies, so God will provide for us.

Mighty God, sometimes we must fight to remember what you have done for us. Protect us and guard our hearts and minds so that we may find joy and eternal security in Christ’s coming. For Jesus’ sake, Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — 1 Timothy 3:14-16

He appeared in the flesh. . . .
1 Timothy 3:16

The Christmas holiday is nearly upon us. For many people Christmas is a special day filled with family gatherings, gift exchanges, and other holiday traditions. In my own family, we look forward to these times, and we enjoy telling others about all the ways we are celebrating this week.

But what are we really celebrating? To answer this question, we might point to all of our traditions, and it’s easy to overlook the big-picture story that provides the whole reason for this holiday. In today’s Bible passage, the apostle Paul reminds Timothy about Jesus’ appearance “in the flesh” and how this should shape our words and behavior as his followers.

The great truth of the Christian faith, the reality that shapes our celebration and our living, is that the Son of God has become human, just like us, so that he can save us. Christmas proclaims to the world that God has come near to live among us and restore us to his glory. So, as great as our traditions may be, the work of God provides an even greater reason for celebrating this holiday.

Our passage for today challenges us to remember what we actually celebrate. So as we tell people about the traditions we are enjoying this week, let’s be sure also to share about the true reason to celebrate: that God has appeared in the flesh for our salvation.

Glorious God, your great story is what drives our celebration this season. In the midst of our own traditions, may we never lose sight of your goodness to us through Jesus’ birth. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — John 1:14-18

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
John 1:14

Today is Christmas Day, on which most Christians mark the birth of Jesus over 2,000 years ago. While celebrations may vary, depending on cultures and family traditions, the central meaning of this day is clear. On this day we celebrate that the eternal Son of God, the Word through whom the creation was spoken into being, took on human flesh for our salvation.

The Bible describes this event in terms of “dwelling.” Where you live makes a big difference: it determines the people you spend your time with, the things you invest your life in, and the way you look at the world. By coming to live among us in the person of Jesus Christ, God showed his commitment to dwell with the human race. God demonstrated that he would live among the quirks and even the sins of everyday people, that he would invest in the redemption of the world, and that the world could now be viewed as a place where God committed to be present.

Maybe today you are gathering in a home with family or friends. As you look around, recognize that in Jesus’ birth God has brought himself into a similar relationship of familiarity with all humanity. Jesus has made known to us the eternal Father and the fullness of his grace. Today we celebrate the Word, who dwells with us.

Lord Jesus, Word of God from the beginning, we sing with joy because you became human for our sake. Proclaim to us the good news of the Savior who was born for sinners. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:21-35

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.
Luke 2:33

Now that Christmas Day has passed, let’s try to make sense of all that we have experienced in the past few weeks. What is the significance of our celebration? Does this season make any difference in the way we live from now on?

Certainly we carry with us memories of time spent with family and friends—and (hopefully) warm feelings about gifts we have received. But it can also be helpful to be intentional about naming ways in which we have seen God at work during this season.

Mary and Joseph could hardly have imagined how their time of presenting Jesus in the temple would be shaped by the words of Simeon. Looking at Jesus, Simeon saw in this baby the fulfillment of God’s promise of salvation—not just for the world but also for himself personally. Simeon also foresaw that Jesus’ coming would present people with a choice: what will they do when they are presented with the need for salvation?

As we let the message of Christmas sink into our hearts, we too should marvel at Jesus. For this infant is indeed God’s promised salvation, the one who knows our hearts and gives peace to all who seek him with repentance and joy.

Have you marveled at this Christmas gift?

Holy Jesus, fill our hearts with wonder at the gift that is you. May we marvel at who you are, and may we humbly receive your salvation. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Luke 2:36-38

[Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.
Luke 2:38

Sometimes just after the Christmas holiday, I feel a bit of a letdown. For weeks I’ve built up excitement for the coming holiday and have looked forward to celebrating. But now, even if there’s still a family gathering or two to attend, the big event is in the past. And I know that in a few days we’ll start to take down decorations and clear away all the traces of our celebrations.

But Christmas has a future dimension as well. It’s not just in the past. Jesus has come, and his first coming is not the only thing that brings us hope.

In the temple, Jesus’ parents met Anna. She had dedicated her life to worship and to looking for signs of God’s salvation. Now, as an elderly woman, she recognized the fulfillment of her prayers in Jesus’ birth. And there’s more: Anna encouraged the people around her to see in Jesus the redemption promised to God’s people.

Of course, the infant Jesus had not yet completed the work of redemption, and Anna would not likely live to see Christ’s finished work. But her hope reminds us that Christmas is about more than the present times we live in. Jesus has come, and his birth points to the redemption of God’s people. What’s more, through his death and resurrection he has completed the work of salvation for us. And in some ways like Anna, we wait in hope today for his coming again (Revelation 21-22). The best is yet to come!

Lord, may the gift of your birth give us hope for the future as we await your coming again. Amen.

 

[RiverOL]

Scripture Reading — Matthew 2:13-18

“Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt . . . for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
Matthew 2:14

Not everyone loves Christmas. Maybe you’ve heard about Ebenezer Scrooge in the Charles Dickens novel A Christmas Carol, or about the Grinch in Dr. Seuss’s story How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Both of these fictional characters eventually change and join in to celebrate Christmas—but, tragically, the real-life King Herod in our Bible reading for today did not. Herod’s cruelty and suspicion led him to respond with murderous hatred when he heard about Jesus’ being born as “king of the Jews” (Matthew 2:2-3).

Herod’s cruelty may make us shudder, but the human heart is naturally prone to fight against God’s gift of his Son for our salvation. Christmas confronts us with our need for a new king, one who dethrones our priorities and requires us to make space for God’s plan in our lives. Christmas can be attractive as long as our focus is on tinsel and nostalgia. But when the coming of Christ demands that we turn our desires and goals over to God in repentance, our natural impulse is to fight back.

Our anger and hostility over God’s gift of Jesus bring heartache and tears. But God has a way of protecting his witness to us. Jesus escaped Herod’s murderous grasp. But in the process Herod drove the Son of God away and could not hear the good news. His actions are a warning to us when we are prone to like the idea of Christmas but to resist its truth.

Holy God, soften our hearts so that we may receive your grace and goodness in Jesus. Amen.