![Louise Balmer – 1 John 3:8
How does this verse relate to the Christmas that we celebrate?
Nobody likes to be called a sinner and yet everyone that enters this messed up world is one. I remember when I had my first child, someone called her ‘a little sinner’! How I was filled with indignation... my beautiful, cute daughter...and yet they were right. As we grow and develop, our sinful natures become apparent in what we say, do and think. We need no teaching in doing wrong because we have a sinful nature fueled by the devil. No matter how horrible it is to think about, each of us is influenced by him BUT the good, wonderful, thrilling news is Jesus came to destroy the devil! He has the Victory!! Therefore we as His children are victorious!
Jesus, who we celebrate at Christmas, was born in Bethlehem of a virgin, was not a sinner, could not sin and did not sin.
How does this comfort me?
Our comfort is the Jesus who knew no sin took our/my punishment on the cross. He suffered for our sin. He took our place. And through His death and resurrection, He defeated the devil! “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NIV)
So when we thank Him for this as we celebrate His birth, we acknowledge His victory!
My favourite carol:
How Many Kings by Downhere
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF952rzG3Yk]()
Louise Balmer – 1 John 3:8 How does this verse relate to the Christmas that we celebrate? Nobody likes to be called a sinner and yet everyone that enters this messed up world is one. I remember when I had my first child, someone called her ‘a little sinner’! How I was filled with indignation... my beautiful, cute daughter...and yet they were right. As we grow and develop, our sinful natures become apparent in what we say, do and think. We need no teaching in doing wrong because we have a sinful nature fueled by the devil. No matter how horrible it is to think about, each of us is influenced by him BUT the good, wonderful, thrilling news is Jesus came to destroy the devil! He has the Victory!! Therefore we as His children are victorious! Jesus, who we celebrate at Christmas, was born in Bethlehem of a virgin, was not a sinner, could not sin and did not sin. How does this comfort me? Our comfort is the Jesus who knew no sin took our/my punishment on the cross. He suffered for our sin. He took our place. And through His death and resurrection, He defeated the devil! “for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” (1 John 5:4 NIV) So when we thank Him for this as we celebrate His birth, we acknowledge His victory! My favourite carol: How Many Kings by Downhere https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zF952rzG3Yk ![Catherine Scott – Hebrews 2:9
“But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.”
How does this verse relate to the Christmas we celebrate?
Being made lower than the angels we see Jesus in the flesh as a little baby lying in a manger whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. This verse shows us however that Jesus is no longer in a manager but is now crowned with glory and honour and that is because He died for us. Jesus is God’s gift of grace to us.
How does this comfort me?
If God, by His gift of grace, can allow His son to die for me then I know in every situation I can trust God no matter what.
My favourite carol:
Oh Holy night. “It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbRrN3pzcIg]()
Catherine Scott – Hebrews 2:9 “But we do see Jesus, who was made lower than the angels for a little while, now crowned with glory and honour because He suffered death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.” How does this verse relate to the Christmas we celebrate? Being made lower than the angels we see Jesus in the flesh as a little baby lying in a manger whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. This verse shows us however that Jesus is no longer in a manager but is now crowned with glory and honour and that is because He died for us. Jesus is God’s gift of grace to us. How does this comfort me? If God, by His gift of grace, can allow His son to die for me then I know in every situation I can trust God no matter what. My favourite carol: Oh Holy night. “It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbRrN3pzcIg ![Ange Johnston – Phillippians 2:5-8
“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!”
How do these verses relate to the Christmas that we celebrate?
This is what love looks like. God the Son took on flesh, became our servant, shared our nature, expressed His love for us, and died our death. And when He rose, He was no less loving. He has loved us in our sin and need. This kindness, and love is what leads us to repentance. And when we trust in Him, we too learn to die to self, and begin to serve others. The discovery of self always involves losing or denying ourselves and this is a constant challenge. The Christmas season will present plenty of opportunities to test our character with crowded shops, orders made from websites arriving too late, difficult relatives or over-excited children. But instead of being angry, impatient, selfish, or jealous, we should choose to be more Christ-like and serve in love. Christ became what He was not, in order that we might become more like Him.
How does this comfort me?
The truth of the Christmas message is our greatest joy at this time of year, even when there are so many hardships being endured with Covid-19. It is a great comfort to know that Jesus is in control and He himself endured hardships. Because we know, trust and love Him, God promises to hear when we call to Him, walk alongside us through all the hard times, and to bring us safely into his presence in heaven.
My favourite Carol:
O Holy Night
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_McMPovPKY]()
Ange Johnston – Phillippians 2:5-8 “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death- even death on a cross!” How do these verses relate to the Christmas that we celebrate? This is what love looks like. God the Son took on flesh, became our servant, shared our nature, expressed His love for us, and died our death. And when He rose, He was no less loving. He has loved us in our sin and need. This kindness, and love is what leads us to repentance. And when we trust in Him, we too learn to die to self, and begin to serve others. The discovery of self always involves losing or denying ourselves and this is a constant challenge. The Christmas season will present plenty of opportunities to test our character with crowded shops, orders made from websites arriving too late, difficult relatives or over-excited children. But instead of being angry, impatient, selfish, or jealous, we should choose to be more Christ-like and serve in love. Christ became what He was not, in order that we might become more like Him. How does this comfort me? The truth of the Christmas message is our greatest joy at this time of year, even when there are so many hardships being endured with Covid-19. It is a great comfort to know that Jesus is in control and He himself endured hardships. Because we know, trust and love Him, God promises to hear when we call to Him, walk alongside us through all the hard times, and to bring us safely into his presence in heaven. My favourite Carol: O Holy Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_McMPovPKY ![Joy Duncan – Titus 2:11-14
“For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
How do these verses relate to the Christmas that we celebrate?
We have the Christmas message and the entire message of the gospel in these verses. We have Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection summed up in the word ‘grace.’ His ‘appearing’ is the reason behind Christmas. His first appearing was when he was humbly born as a babe in a manger to be our Saviour and give us the gift of saving grace. He gave us the gift of His love by His humiliating and shameful death on the cross. He bore the shame and suffered on our behalf. His second appearing gives us the gift of hope at His glorious appearance when He will return again and take us unto Himself and to our home in heaven. Jesus who came in humility and grace is the Jesus who will come again in power and glory!
How does this comfort me?
Although this world is weary and troubled and we may tend to despair, I have hope during this Christmas season because I have accepted the best gift of all in the Lord Jesus Christ. He gives me the gifts: peace, comfort, hope and encouragement. We live in a fallen world but God has promised us better things ahead!
My favourite carol:
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKy53g_6ZMU]()
Joy Duncan – Titus 2:11-14 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” How do these verses relate to the Christmas that we celebrate? We have the Christmas message and the entire message of the gospel in these verses. We have Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection summed up in the word ‘grace.’ His ‘appearing’ is the reason behind Christmas. His first appearing was when he was humbly born as a babe in a manger to be our Saviour and give us the gift of saving grace. He gave us the gift of His love by His humiliating and shameful death on the cross. He bore the shame and suffered on our behalf. His second appearing gives us the gift of hope at His glorious appearance when He will return again and take us unto Himself and to our home in heaven. Jesus who came in humility and grace is the Jesus who will come again in power and glory! How does this comfort me? Although this world is weary and troubled and we may tend to despair, I have hope during this Christmas season because I have accepted the best gift of all in the Lord Jesus Christ. He gives me the gifts: peace, comfort, hope and encouragement. We live in a fallen world but God has promised us better things ahead! My favourite carol: O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKy53g_6ZMU
