What Child Is This?
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There is something special about Christmas. For some people it is a return to childhood when the family was all together. For others it is the warm glow of the season and the enjoyment of familiar traditions, the giving and the receiving of the gifts. For still others it is a time to be home and relax. Whatever it might be for you, yes, there is something special about Christmas.
As Christians we also know that there is something special about the birth of Jesus. The story of His conception, birth and life is something unique among human history. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, bom of the Virgin Mary, and let's not forget the odd circumstances in Bethlehem, the angel's announcement to the shepherds and of course the years to follow of a life without sin. The birth of Jesus was unique among human history and led many individuals like, Zechariah, Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, and others to wonder, what child is this?
This Christmas beyond all of the warm traditions and enjoyment of the season some people might wonder if Jesus is who many say that He is, the savior of the world? Or is He just a figment of imagination, a nice story, or someone influential in history? Is He just an ordinary man or is He the Divine Son of God? Some people might know a little about Christmas but know very little about Jesus.
In the Christmas hymn entitled, "What Child Is This?" the hymn writer attempts to answer that question. "This is Christ the king, whom shepherds guard and angels sing." Jesus is the Christ. He is the long awaited Messiah who has come to restore the kingdom of God. He is "the Word made flesh, the babe, the son of Mary." This child is the Divine, eternal and all powerful Word of God who became human.
What child is this? He is the one of whom the hymn writer sings, "nails, spear shall pierce Him through, the cross be borne for me, for you." He is the one who was willing to give His life as a sacrifice for ours. He was the one who was nailed to a wooden cross for our sins. He is the one who forgives and grants eternal life to those who believe in Him.
What child is this? "The King of kings salvation brings; Let loving hearts enthrone Him." He is the one who is over every ruler, every king, every authority and human being. He is the Lord who brings salvation. He is the one who is the answer to our troubles. There are many troubles in this sin filled world, health difficulties, relationship problems, politics, fears, the fast paced and temporary nature of this life, but whatever troubles you have Jesus is the solution. He is the one who delivers and rescues. He is the one who saves. Believe in Him. Trust in Him and the true joy of Christmas will last forever in heaven in ways that will be far greater than anything else found in this world.
This season of Advent and Christmas our theme will be, What Child Is This? Each week in our special Wednesday Advent services we will focus on different aspects of that theme. Everyone is welcome so invite someone to attend with you. I look forward to seeing you in our Wednesday services, and our Christmas services as together we too will marvel over who heaven declares this child truly is: "For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord (Luke 2:11)."
The schedule for our special services is as follows:
Advent Services: Wednesdays, December 5,12 and 19 at 7:00 PM
Christmas Eve Service, Monday, December 24 at 4:00 PM
Christmas Day Service, Tuesday, December 25 at 9:00 AM
Have a blessed Advent and Christmas!
Pastor Schoenfeld
Something Everyone Needs to Know
“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23
Ever since Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3) every human being has come into this world as a sinful being. Our sin separates us from God. Left to ourselves we would perish for eternity in hell (John 3:36 & Hebrews 10:26-27).
“For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
God loves you so much that He came into this world as a human being (Luke 2:1-20). Jesus, the Son of God, lived a perfect life for you (Hebrews 4:14-16), suffered and died upon a cross for you (John 19), and rose from the dead for you (Luke 24). Now our risen Lord will forgive your sin (1 John 1:8-9) and grant eternal salvation to you if you believe in Him.
“Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved…” Acts 16:31
When God blesses you with a living faith in Jesus you will have a place in heaven. Such salvation comes not by our works but by grace through faith in Jesus (Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-10).
“And He died for all, that those who live, should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.” 2 Corinthians 5:15
Now as those who have been given the gift of heaven we live no longer just for ourselves but to serve God and our fellow human beings. (Ephesians 2:10)