| From the Church on the Hill by D. Eric Williams Pastor, Cottonwood Community Church pastor@CottCommChurch.com Our Father in heaven, we give thanks to you that you control all things. Some 2000 years ago you determined there would be a census taken throughout the Roman Empire and you used the means of this creation - the means of the Emperor of Rome - in order to bring Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. You control history in the same way today. May we never forget that you uphold all things. Not even a sparrow falls to the ground apart from your will. Indeed, from time eternal you had determined that Joseph and Mary would be in the ancestral home of King David at just the right time. The word of your prophets found fulfillment and the Eternal Son came as a baby, born in Bethlehem, a descendant of King David according to the flesh. Heavenly Father, there is nothing that takes place apart from your sovereign will for that and we give you praise and thanks. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was brought into this world in the same manner as every human child. And yet, Heavenly Father, you determined there would be unusual circumstance attached to the birth of Jesus. Not only was your Son born in a humble condition, his humility was emphasized when he was placed in a manger after his birth. His crib was a feeding trough for livestock. In this simple way, oh God, you set his birth apart from the norm and determined that this fact would become part of the gospel message. In keeping with this theme of humility, you announced the birth of the Messiah to the lowly rather than the high and mighty. We know in that ancient near eastern culture, shepherds were considered “lowlife” by the upper-class. We are reminded the gospel of the kingdom should be preached to all people in every condition. Moreover, we are reminded that you have chosen to draw most of your followers from the from the lowest part of society. Heavenly Father, when you sent an angel to announce the birth of Jesus those you had chosen to receive the message responded in faith. When confronted by the terrifying presence of the heavenly messenger – who was joined by a vast host of others – the shepherds did not hesitate to respond to the message. They went to Bethlehem and looked for the child. Almighty God, stir our hearts to seek after Jesus the Christ as well. Give us courage to respond to the gospel without reservation. Give us strength to live the comprehensive gospel of Jesus Christ and his kingdom in this hostile world in which we live. Help us to overcome hesitation in our service to you. We also pray we will be ambassadors for the truth as the shepherds were. The Bible tells us that after they found the child lying in the manger they went and told everyone what had happened. They told everyone what the angel had said. Empower us to be enthusiastic evangelists just like the shepherds were. Also, we praise you dear God for all that you have done for us. The world around us seems to be in chaos; make us we an oasis of peace as we live our lives in Jesus Christ. Dear God, may our proclamation of the Gospel have credibility as people see a reflection of you in our lives. Help us to proclaim the true “reason for the season” without compromise. We ask these things in Jesus name Amen.
|
|