The Season of Our Savior

The Season of our Savior
 
A certain lady who served on many civic committees, when asked to select carols suitable for a community Christmas-tree lighting, sought the help of her pastor. After she scanned the list he had selected, she exclaimed in dismay, "But they’re all so theological."  That little story is quite ironic!  A good Christmas carol must be about Jesus and thus also about God.  We know this to be true, and so good Christmas carols are theological, of course.  The Christmas season seems to be about so many different things, but there is only one thing that this season must be about for us as believers.  It must be about Jesus!

Therefore, between now and Christmas Day, I’m preaching a series of sermons around the central theme: “The Season of our Savior.” By the time you read this, I may have already preached a sermon or two on this crucial topic, but still it’s good to briefly describe each sermon, whether it’s a review or a preview of what’s to come!

• A season of longing (Sun., Dec. 15): Ever since the fall into sin described in Genesis 3, people have longed for a better world, a better life, and a better future.  We’ve longed for a Savior.  We’ve needed a Savior because of our sin (Romans 3:23).  The promise, already given to Adam and Eve, is that a Savior would be born.  Jesus was born to deliver us from our sin.  (Hebrews 2:14-15)

• A season of promise (Sun., Dec. 15 – Christmas Program): Jesus birth was promised in the Old Testament in surprising detail, centuries beforehand.  (Isaiah 7:14) Still, many people did not recognize the way that Jesus fulfilled God’s promises (Isaiah 53:2-4).  By faith, we nevertheless embrace the human yet divine birth of Jesus, for God’s gracious promises came true in this specific way.  (Hebrews 4:15)

• A season of visitation (Thurs., Dec. 19): In the visit of Gabriel to Mary (Luke 1:26-38), we learn some wonderful truths about Jesus Christ.  We learn the meaning of His Name.  We learn of His greatness (Hebrews 1:2-3), and we learn about His everlasting kingdom!  (Isaiah 11:10)

• A season of fulfillment (Sun., Dec. 22): Here, we look at God’s timing of the birth of our Savior. The timing was painful in some ways, yet prophetic (Genesis 49:10). More than that, God’s timing was (and is) perfect! (Galatians 4:4)

May God’s Word continue to bless you, nourish and sustain you all throughout this sometimes challenging but always profound time of year, and may you truly have a blessed Christmastime!  We’ll look forward to all the many opportunities to gather and cherish one another’s presence in worship throughout this holy season.

In Christ’s love,
Pastor Daryn