I love the Christmas Story (the real story, not the movie) and the hope that it brings. That’s what we’ll look at in this last part of our series: Christmas Is Good News When I Feel Hopeless.
   
Hope is a powerful word...if one uses it correctly. There is hope that expresses a desired outcome like, “I hope I do well on this test”, but this kind of hope also expresses uncertainty. “I may or may not do well...but I HOPE I do.” There is a different kind of hope leading up to the Christmas story. It was the hope that the nation of Israel held onto regarding the coming of the promised savior of the world (their Messiah). They didn’t just hope He would one day come...they had the expectation that He would and they held on to that hope for GENERATIONS. What makes the difference and how can one have this kind of hope? 
   
This second kind of hope is anchored in something or someone. It is the belief in that anchor that gives certainty to hope. For the nation of Israel, their hope was anchored in their God who promised a coming Messiah. They trusted God and His character, so their hope carried the expectation that God would make good on His word.
   
The Christmas Story (the birth of Jesus) was the fulfillment of that promise. The promise was not only that the Messiah would come, but also that God would make a way for ALL of mankind to know and be restored in relationship to Himself through the Savior born that first Christmas morning. 
   
When life feels hopeless or like a series of “I hope’s” based on uncertainty, I pray that the Christmas Story will remind you that God always fulfills His promises, He is the SOURCE of hope, and He has promised never to turn us away when we turn to Him.
   
I am praying for you and your loved ones this Christmas season. May you know the Hope of Christmas, Pastor Rob

Christmas Is Good News Series
Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3

This month we’re looking at the Good News from the Christmas story, and this week specifically at how Christmas Is Good News When It Feels Like The World is Falling Apart.
  
If you were the God of the universe and your son was going to be born into the world, how would you send him? Would you send him as a totally helpless baby? Would you choose a teenage virgin to be the earthly mother of your son in a culture when being pregnant before marriage could get the young mother killed? Would you allow the earthly mother of your son to travel 70 miles by donkey just weeks before giving birth? Have your son born in a barn? Allow your son to be born in a time and location where his earthly father would have to take him and flee for their lives because of an insanely insecure king willing to kill all the little boys in a certain town 2 years old and younger in an effort to kill your son?  (You can read in Matthew 1 and Luke 1-2 where ALL of these things were true of Jesus’ birth).
  
God did not stop the chaos of this life when his Son was born. As a matter of fact, if you read the story of Jesus’ birth (His whole life, really), it’s pretty clear that Jesus was familiar with the struggles we face. Jesus humbled Himself, laid aside His privilege as God and became a human to face the struggles and temptations we face so that He could become the Savior of the world.
  
God sent His Son to rescue those living in chaos. Christmas is Good News, even when it feels like the world is falling apart, because it is a reminder that you are not alone nor forgotten in your struggles. God sent his Son in the midst of the chaos to make a way for you to know Him.
 
Whether on the job or life in general, if there is anything I can pray with you about this week, please let me know.
  
Your service is appreciated,
Pastor Rob

Christmas Is Good News Series
Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3

The second half of the Bible (the New Testament) begins with the story of Christmas...the birth of the Christ child promised to be the Savior of the world. The first 17 verses of the first chapter of the New Testament (book of Matthew) consists of a genealogy of 45 names. If the lead to the story is “World’s Savior is Born”, why start with a boring list of names?

The simple answer to the question is, this genealogy was an ancient “proof” that Jesus was indeed the long-awaited and prophesied Savior. But as we start a short 3-week series  “Christmas is Good News”, I would like to share why Christmas is Good News When I Feel Imperfect.
   
One would expect when reading the lineage of the Savior of the World that it would be filled with heroes, patriarchs and kings. And indeed, Jesus' lineage is filled with these. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were Israel’s patriarchs, King Solomon was royalty as was King David...the hero who slew a giant. But did the Savior of the world only come for the important, impressive and influential? What about the imperfect people? Would the God of heaven send His Son for someone like me?
   
The lineage of Jesus shouts a resounding YES! Did you know Jesus’ lineage also includes murderers? King David committed adultery and had his girlfriend’s husband killed! King Joash murdered a prophet. King Ahaz participated in human sacrifice. 
   

It is also interesting that 5 women are listed in the genealogy of Jesus (women were not listed in genealogies in ancient times). These women were not perfect either, but they all played a key role in Israel’s history leading to the birth of the Savior. Their stories include not only saving the nation of Israel from extinction, but also seduction, adultery and prostitution.
   
All of these imperfect people are listed in the lineage of the Savior of the World...for the whole world to see. It’s almost like God was saying, “I sent my Son even for the imperfect.”
   
May Christmas be GOOD NEWS to you this year even when you feel imperfect. 
   
Be safe & know you are appreciated, 
Pastor Rob

Christmas Is Good News Series
Part 1,  Part 2,  Part 3