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It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas is right around the corner. After last year, I believe we are all looking forward to a time of being together to celebrate Advent and prepare for the coming of the Christ child in the manger. Many opportunities await us as we enter into this season and I hope you will read through this newsletter to find all the ways you can engage with us and one another at FullDevotion FBC. Let us remind others of the Hope, Peace, Joy and Love that Christmas brings to a world that is lost in darkness.
For now I want to talk to you about the “Promise of Christmas.” At one time or another, we have all made promises or had promises made to us. But exactly what is a promise? A promise is an assurance that a certain thing will come to pass. It is similar to a vow where an individual will do, give, or arrange something, undertake or declare to make something happen. One might say that a promise is a sacred and verbal commitment that isn’t meant to be broken. When someone makes a promise it means the world to you. That promise is a solid commitment that should never be broken, nor should you yourself break the promises you make to your friends or loved ones. However as hard as we try, sometimes promises are broken and when that happens it stings, it hurts a bit. Often the trust we had in someone or the trust someone had in us suffers.
But our God is different. When God makes a promise we can be confident that he will be faithful to bring it to fruition. The Bible is full of promises from God to His people, and there is one life changing promise we celebrate every year at this time. It is the “Promise of Christmas.”
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Micah 5:2
I want to invite you to join us during the Advent season to rediscover the promises found in the Old Testament that prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. Together, let us revisit the New Testament passages regarding the birth of our Savior. The four weeks of Advent leading up to Christmas remind us of the hope God was offering His people. The promise to bring salvation to all people. We also recall the peace the angels spoke about to the shepherds as they joined together saying, “'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.'” Let us also embrace the great joy and the great love represented in the birth of Immanuel, God with us.
One thing I know about God. God always, always keeps His promises, even when they take longer than we would like. This Christmas you can be confident that God has not forgotten about you. Even in the midst of the struggles of this life you can experience the promise of peace that God offers. Deuteronomy 31:6-8 reminds us, “It is the LORD who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." With this promise, we can be assured that He is always with us and encouraged to always be with God in faith and spirit. No matter our past, we can always repent and return to God's loving arms of mercy and grace
This Christmas let’s focus on the promises of God. Let’s worship together and rejoice in the good news of the God who came near to us in the form of a baby and who died for us to give us the greatest gift we could ever be given. The promise of the gift of salvation and eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior!
Wishing You All the Promise of Christmas!
Pastor Kevin, Michi & Family
