https://www.bible.com/events/49186160
Church of the Nazarene – East Rock
God With Us – Always
Christmas Eve 2023
Throughout this Christmas Season we have been seeking to understand the power and meaning of the name given to Jesus in the Christmas Story- Immanuel: God WITH us.
If we wanted to try to boil down the Christmas story into just one word- it would have to be Presence.
The essence of Christmas is the presence of God with us in Christ. His presence changes everything. This is the amazing promise we find in the story of Christmas.
Matthew 1:18-23
This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
When the Angel instructs Joseph to name the baby Jesus- The mission of this child becomes clear-
“…and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
Jesus came not because we needed a celebration, but because we needed a savior. We needed a rescuer from the power of sin and death.
Matthew doesn’t leave his audience in suspense either- He makes it clear in telling the Christmas Story-This is Immanuel-This child is God with us.
These two names together express the real meaning of the story of Christmas. God is with us- present with his people. His actions are aimed at rescuing his people.
This is Christmas, this is the story of Jesus. His presence changes everything.
At Christmas we celebrate the coming of Jesus. There is great reason to celebrate and remember this event.
But Easter brings us the promise of His permanent presence in the hearts of those who are for Him.
This is the promise Matthew concludes his gospel with in Chapter 28. Literally the whole story of Jesus in Matthew is bookended by Presence.
After Jesus, that baby in the manger, grew up. He performed miracles. He showed us what it was to love like the Father, serve like the Father. And then he died, a criminal’s death on a cross. And after 3 days, he rose again. He conquered death and now, the resurrected Jesus is about to go back to heaven. And before he does, He tells his disciples – his closest followers – something that we need to remember today:
Matthew 28:18-20
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
The promise of Presence
God with us at the beginning, God with us Always.
The beautiful thing about the Christmas story is that the ultimate gift that lasts forever has your name on it- It’s for you. Will you receive it?
Don’t let Christmas rush by this year without that reality taking root deep in your heart.
God Himself, is WITH us. And, if you choose, will ALWAYS be.
Updates on the new Waynesboro campus
God is inviting us to step out in faith to plant a Spanish-speaking campus in the Waynesboro community. Join us on the journey!
Check out the link below for more information and for frequent updates throughout the journey.
Giving at COTN
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