12/5/2021 Saving Christ ~Rev. Benjamin Chung

In just under 3 weeks, it will be Christmas. For some, this means that you should have your presents under the Christmas tree, egg-nog in the fridge, gingerbread houses in the oven, your ugly Christmas sweater pulled out of storage (and aired out of the mothball smell), and candy canes with stockings on the mantle. These are just a few of the fun American Christmas traditions. But the one thing we can’t forget to celebrate, is the birth of Jesus!

This is in lieu of the fact that so many movies during this season are about “saving Christmas”. The plot is always the same: an issue arises which prevents a parent from making it back for Christmas or a project won’t be completed unless a newly devised plan can “miraculously” save the day. Just for fun, the plot twist usually involves the plan not working, but a character in the story has a connection or a favor to redeem and the project is completed… Christmas is “saved”. Hurray! Happy Ending!

In a way, this is the Christmas story. But it is God who holds one of the leading roles in the story. He is the one who sends His son Jesus into the world to save the world. It is the Holy Spirit in Matthew 1:18 and Luke 1:35, who comes upon the Virgin Mary and causes her to be with child. We celebrate this important truth to recognize the important truth of Jesus role in humanity. He is God incarnate, sinless, come to save the world from eternal damnation we so truly deserve because of the future sacrifice Jesus would eventually partake on the cross. 1 Peter 2:24 (ESV) says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.” Yes, He did! Praise God! Let us therefore rejoice in the birth of the one who came to save us. Let us celebrate Him in the coming weeks and days before Christmas, even privately in our homes. Seize every opportunity to give glory to God. For He is the who saves, He is Wonderful indeed. Take a moment to read the verse below, reflect, and praise our Lord Jesus this morning:

Isaiah 9:6

For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.