Christmas for the Christian is all about the coming of Christ. Christ means ‘Anointed one’ and referred to the promised Messiah in Hebrew Scripture.  I capitalized it because Jesus, referred to as the Christ in scripture deserves it.  As we have seen in our walk through Matthew, Jesus is the anointed one in many, many, many ways – as King, as Lord, as Prophet, as Priest.

With this term comes separation.  What do I mean by that?  Well, a couple of ways.  First, if you google the term Christ you get an interesting definition.  Two explanations of Christ are given: 1st, ‘a title, treated as a name given to Jesus of Nazareth.  2nd, ‘an oath used to express irritation, dismay, or surprise.’  Notice there is no affirmation of Jesus as the Christ and the opposite of Jesus as the Christ as defined by google is to use the term as a curse.  One definition labels Jesus Lord of heaven and earth and all that is in them while the other one is very much derogatory and treats Christ as a curse word, no more worthy than dirt.  This title for Jesus of Nazareth causes separation because it presents us with choice – will it be ‘the Anointed One’ (capital A), or simply a curse word.

Just to be fair, Jesus as the Christ, also unites.  For everyone who believes in his heart and professes with their lips and seeks to follow him with their life, unites us in reconciliation with our Creator Redeemer God and unites us to his created purposes for our life.  So its not all about separation.
  
On Sunday at 4:30pm, we will gather for our Christmas Eve service and worship our anointed Savior Jesus Christ.  And for the Christian, this makes all the difference in living.  We will celebrate with some readings from Scripture and sing many of the carols of Christmas.

Our Scripture focus for the worship service will be from Isaiah 9:6, “Unto 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.”  If these things describe who Jesus the Christ is, in what ways do you understand these to be true of him?  We can unpack that further together on Christmas Eve.

“Come and Worship, Come and Worship, Worship Christ the newborn (anointed) King.”  Come and join the throngs from around the globe in worshipping Jesus, the Christ!

Announcements for the holiday weekend:

• CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP, DEC 24th, 4:30pm!  Don’t miss it.
• CHRISTMAS DAY EXHALE DEC 25th, at the Quist Home, 5:30-8:00pm.  Mark, Deone, Morgan and Anna invite you to the Quist home for a time of hangout and fellowship after the holiday craziness.  Come one, come all and bring any food you have hanging around the house you’d like to pass on to another.

Peace Out!

Pastor Mark