TCBC Family and Friends,
Christmas season is in full force and I hope you will take opportunities to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and share him with others. I hope you will join us on December 14th at 6:00PM for the Unclouded Day Christmas Concert and join us for our Christmas Eve service at 6:00PM. Also, don't forget to bring in an item for the appreciation baskets to thank 1st Baptist and the Spanish church for all their support during this time while our building is being repaired. Now take a few minutes to consider the following devotion and celebrate the birth of Christ.
Quite a few years ago my daughter ran up to me eyes twinkling with eager expectation. She grabbed my hand, pulled down, and asked, “When is my birthday?” Her brother, less than two years younger, had just celebrated his 4th birthday and she knew that hers was next. I responded as gently as I could, “Not for a few more months.” Sure enough this elicited the response I expected, “A few more months! That will be forever.” She then turned and drug herself away resigning herself to an interminable wait for the promised day to come.
The Israelites had been waiting for the messiah for generation after generation. Ever since God cast Adam and Eve from the garden, humanity has needed a savior. We see the state of the world, full of struggle and strife. We see our broken relationships and the work it takes to maintain good relationships. We see how even our own hearts and desires seem to battle against what is best for us. We see the inevitability of death.
As time progressed from the time of Adam and Eve the prophets were raised up and began speaking of a coming messiah, one who would be the savior of the world. His kingdom would be eternal (Daniel 2:44), His Kingdom would bless all nations (Genesis 22:18), He would be born of a virgin in Bethlehem (Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:2), He would be rejected by his people, beaten and killed, to bear our own sins (Isaiah 53:1-12). Over the course of over a thousand years the prophets proclaimed the coming messiah, the savior of the world.
Then, He arrived. They called Him Jesus, meaning God’s help, and Immanuel, God with us. He was born in humble circumstances belying the expectations of so many who were expecting a conquering King. He lived a perfect life and died on the cross for the wrongs that we commit. Three days later He rose from the grave in victory over sin and death and is even now preparing a place for us. If we believe in Him and ask Him to forgive us of our sins He will forgive us and we will spend eternity with Him in Heaven. The Israelites waited generations for the savior to come. We don’t have to wait any longer, He lives today, He loves you, and has called you to repent of your sins and trust in Him.
For His glory,
Pastor TJ
Cell: 410-303-5190