Living Hope Lutheran - Pastor's Blog

Pastor's Blog

December 2023

12/27/2023 8:49:16 PM

The Miracle of Jesus' Birth

We just celebrated the birth of Christ. The miracle of Jesus’ birth is that he was truly the son of Mary — human; but he was also truly the Son of God — divine. John’s Gospel brings this out when he says, “The Word was God” (John 1:1). But the divine nature of Jesus was not a surprise; God had been promising for generations that he would come into the world himself to be the Savior. One example is from Micah 2:13. There we read: One who breaks open the way will go up before them; they will break through the gate and go out. Their king will pass through before them, the Lord at their head.

The passage is Messianic, that is, about the coming of the Messiah. At the end of the verse we hear that the Messiah will be the Lord himself. (The name “Lord” is the divine name; the name God gave himself when Moses asked what God’s name was.)

At Christmas we celebrate nothing less than God himself coming into our world for the purpose of being our Savior. The Christmas story is one of pure love for the world — for you!

Christmas Day might be past, and you might be contemplating taking down your decoration. But don’t ever let the message of Christmas stop ringing in your heart. “Joy to the world, the Lord has come!” He has come for us!

Pastor Aufdemberge

Pastor Kneser

Pastor Wempner

Pastor Zarling

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12/22/2023 8:21:09 PM

Reflecting on Blessings

After learning that she would give birth to Jesus, Mary praised God with the words recorded for us in Luke 1:46-55. In the first part of her song, Mary reflected on the personal blessings she had received from God. She said:

“My soul glorifies the Lord

and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,

for he has been mindful

of the humble state of his servant.

From now on all generations will call me blessed,

for the Mighty One has done great things for me—holy is his name.”

(Luke 1:48-49)

“For he has been mindful.” Is there any greater blessing from the Lord than knowing that he is mindful of us? As Jesus’ mother, Mary would play a very special role in God’s plan. While we play a far different role than Mary, God is no less mindful of us. In his grace and mercy he has brought you into his kingdom by washing you in baptism and nurturing your faith with his Word. Because of Jesus, we receive the same blessings that Mary received: forgiveness of our sins, opportunities to serve God here on earth, and the promise of eternal life. Mary was right, all generations call her blessed because God blessed and used her. He’s blessed and used us too!

Mary didn’t list the great things God had done. She simply said, “the Mighty One has done great things for me.” A list of what he had done would have been too lengthy because everything God does is great! In the life of Mary we see the greatness of God. In the life of Christ, God displayed his power of sin, death, and the devil. In your life, God’s power is seen as well. It is seen in your faith and your service. It is seen in your hope and your love.

As you prepare for Christmas, join with Mary to praise God as you trust in him.