A Christmas Reminder
Notes
Transcript
We are all searching for something.
We are all searching for something.
The ads have told us so. Maybe we have been poked and prodded to “make a list”. Our politicians tell us we are searching for their leadership. May I ask this evening, “what are you searching for?”
Our world is hurting.
Our world is hurting.
We have drugs, disease, division and pain all around us. Our local fire department has had over 1000 calls this year, and even this day more than they probably could handle.
Not to mention two wars going on and just this day more lives lost in Ukraine and Gaza.
There is much despair and weariness around us.
There is much despair and weariness around us.
We are all getting tired. Maybe it is just me but I am tired this evening. No not just physically but mentally, emotionally and yes even a little bit spiritually. I resonate with the one verse of our carol tonight from “I heard the bells on Christmas Day”, “and in despair I bowed my head, There is no peace on earth, I said, for hate is strong and mocks the song
We need peace.
We need peace.
No not just some pat answer of “world peace” though that would be nice. A deeper peace. As the writer Luke shares in Scripture the world of the first Christmas was in “peace” to some extent. It was the time of the great Pax Romana (Roman Peace). Yet there the words the world needed to hear was there is peace.
We need joy.
We need joy.
Tonight and tomorrow will be filled with joy, though not as long-lasting as we may like. We need a joy that can transcend time and circumstances. We need an everlasting joy.
We need rest.
We need rest.
A rest that is not just “not doing anything” but a rest that gives us the energy to do what Christ calls us to do. Weariness is not just being tired it is being drained.
We need Jesus.
We need Jesus.
No surprise here. You came for a Christmas Eve service and the reason you are here is because Jesus was born.
Isaiah 9:6–7 (NIV)
For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
Jesus provides what we are searching for.
Jesus provides what we are searching for.
This does not mean it will be easy nor without issue. Life with Jesus isn’t all roses but it is worth it. What are you searching for? I hope you will look for Jesus. The shepherds, the wise men, and many others found what they didn’t know they were looking for and it changed their life. The same can be true for you today.