Creation is bigger than we will ever understand.  When thinking about the size of the universe humanity is but a tiny part. Yet, we are not insignificant; we are not just another animal created to roam the earth.  We, Humanity, are worthy of the incarnation, the indwelling which joined Christ with us in Jesus.  The birth we celebrate on Christmas is the living expression of God’s Word and wisdom.  Fully human and fully divine.

As with all our encounters with God, the birth of Jesus is an unearned gift to humanity, it is grace. In Jesus the Christ, God has joined with us in our mortal lives by becoming fully human.  Jesus receives no privilege, he is vulnerable to the elements, to humanity, and even sin.  He struggled with the hardships and heartbreaks of life as well as enjoying the goodness of life.  He was in constant conflict with evil, from King Herod at his birth, to the temptations of Satan and finally with Rome and the leaders of the Temple. He suffered the terrible death of the Roman crucifixion.  God has shown his love for the world and all people.  Truly, we are of sacred worth.

It is no wonder Christmas can have a magical effect on us.  The humility of the Almighty to join with us is such a powerful expression of God’s love toward us that our physical and spiritual senses should be overwhelmed in awe.  In the love of Christ, we find joy and peace and the power of Christmas!

Yet, it can be easy to miss this Joy and Peace as we are caught up in the rush of life, our efforts to make Christmas just right, or overwhelmed by painful loss.  Throughout the year we work hard to gain security and possessions we believe are essential or desirable. This is a universal human trait and often a source of our anxiety. The reality is that all things are temporary except our relationship with God. It is a relationship that often gets ignored and broken by our daily endeavors in the pursuit of the life we desire.  We often don’t like to admit it, but this all-important relationship is broken and we can’t fix it.  The birth of Jesus into our world and in our hearts is God’s offer to restore this relationship and give us peace in all situations.

Yet, we often give our pursuit of happiness and the things of this world more value and time than our relationship with our eternal God. We find life and peace in our love of God as we recognize His presence around us, and His love for us.  God’s love is the one thing we cannot lose or be taken from us. It is the source of the love we share with others, one that binds us together in this life and one to come.  We need a reboot, a start-over for the new year and all the days of our lives.  We need a time to remember who this child in the manger really is, and what is eternally important and what is not.

Our Christmas Eve candlelight service is a perfect time to regroup our hearts, minds, and souls, so that we may be renewed, our relationship with God restored, and enjoy a peace like no other.

May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Pastor Rick