Good morning:
You know how it goes. The conversation continues as you gradually make your way to the door. You know the good-bye is coming, but you put it off as long as you can. You walk out the door together toward the car. Eventually, though, sometime after Christmas dinner aunts and uncles leave. You come back from a trip to Grandpa and Grandma’s house. Adult children return to their own homes and lives. Isn’t it always kind of a shock when the anticipation and special joys of a family Christmas suddenly disappear and life reverts back to the “everyday”?
What if that joy didn’t have to end with the dawn of December 26th? What if, instead of an empty house or life, there was a guest who would always be there, yet never outstay his welcome? That One is the Lord Jesus who came into the world as the infant Savior, and while He would be here visibly for just 33 years, He has promised, “Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Heb. 13:5).
So yes, we’ll soon be back to work and school and other everyday responsibilities and activities. But remember, no matter how busy the day or how far away loved ones may be, the Savior who left the glory of heaven to live and die for us is as close as His Word. When you feel alone, left to fend for yourself against troubling thoughts and worries, the Lord is there ready to listen to everything that’s on your mind and heart. He knows from personal experience how hard sin has made this life. He also has just the comfort we need. He tells us how He came to take on our obligation under God’s law and fulfill it perfectly in our place. His obedience is our righteousness before God. He came as the Prince of Peace who would make peace with God by suffering the penalty for all sin on the cross.
Since Jesus has already earned our salvation, Paul writes, “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32). Since we are God’s beloved children, we have the promise that He will see to it that every detail of every day will serve our eternal wellbeing.
Whether we’re with a houseful of family or alone at home, Christmas joy continues with our ever-present Savior. He remains our Immanuel, God-with-us!
Yours in His name,
Pastor
Our services tomorrow are at the usual 8:00 and 10:45 a.m.
Sunday school is at 9:30 and adult Bible class at 9:45 a.m.
