December 24th, 2017

“When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceeding with great joy”
(Matthew 2:10)

 
Robbie and I wish to say a very MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR to our beloved Grace Church family. We are so thankful that this Christmas season has been filled with the light of God’s love and glory as we have worshipped together in celebration of our Savior’s birth. It has been a rich blessing to have preached each week during Advent from the gospel of Matthew.
 
I have been enriched in my study of the ministry of John the Baptist who announced the coming of Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah.
 
I have learned how Joseph listened to the angel’s message and did not fear to take Mary to be his espoused wife.
 
We all saw from the parable of the Fig Tree that the second coming of Jesus is as certain as was His first coming.
 
From this series of sermons, I have heard from God’s word how meticulous and worldwide God’s plan of redemption happened so that Jesus would accomplish salvation for all mankind.
 
Today, we follow the Wise Men to the place where Jesus was. We will learn about this wondrous star that led the way. We will hear from God’s word about the joy that flooded their souls. The scriptures will teach us how we should celebrate Christmas with the joy of heaven. The Grinch thought to himself during his escapade to steal Christmas from the Who’s who lived in Whoville, “Maybe Christmas does not come from a store.” He’s absolutely right. The joy of Christmas comes from God’s heart to our hearts. In fact, you cannot buy that kind of joy anywhere. Jesus said:
 
“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete” (John 15:11). 
 
There was an art contest held in a local school one Christmas season a few years ago in East Texas. One of the prize winners was a picture drawn by a nine-year-old boy showing three men, offering gifts to the baby Jesus in his manger. What made the picture unique is how the three gift presenters arrived — there was a fire truck on the side of the picture.
 
The principal asked the boy about his decision to draw the truck and the boy, in his heavy East-Texas accent, was quick to reply: “Well, the Bible says the wise men came from a-far.”
 
Robbie and I pray for each of you that the joy of the Lord will flood your hearts and homes this Christmas. It is truly our joy to serve you and to grow in the grace and joy of Lord together with you all.
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Pastor Mike