Dec 19-20, 2020
From the Pastor’s Desk: Pastor Jeanie Auyeung
Due to the epidemic, this year is ushering in a different Christmas! There are no large celebrations or carnival balls. But there are angels reporting the great joyful message – the birth of the Lord Christ. This brings joy to people.
Paul described the joyous message: “The mystery of godliness is so great, it is recognized by everyone, that is: “He appeared in the flesh, was justified in the Holy Spirit, and was seen by angels; he was preached to the nations, convinced by the world, and received in glory. “(1 Timothy 3:16). Whenever I read this verse, I stand in awe!
God appears in the flesh,
The description “It’s so great” or “Great indeed,” –(ESV), which means it is very, very great! “God became flesh”-it is absolutely incredible that God, who is omnipresent and absolutely not constrained, was restricted by flesh! How could the almighty and authoritative God desire to be with the filthy and unworthy humans who refused to accept Him like us? Just because of his love! This is a fact that is absolutely incomprehensible according to the normal way of seeing things. What love is this? The love of God is beyond all our understanding, It is His “unexplainable love”! Love that is —
– Incomprehensible love: He came in rejection (John 1:10 “the world did not recognize him”)
– Unbelievable love: He came to die (John 1:11 “his own did not receive him”)
– Unexplainable love: He came in sacrifice (Philippians 2:7-8 taking the very nature of a servant… humble Himself and became obedient to death”)!
The omnipotent God, who is beyond time and space, ruler of hundreds of billions of galaxies and the universe, has become flesh in order to redeem us. He was trapped in the flesh and became so limited. Just because of His love to us! Who is worthy of His love?
Here are three hymns that deeply touch my heart every time I sing them:
1. O Holy Night
“Long lay the world in sin and error pining, ‘Til He appears and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”
When people are still in ignorance, and don’t understand the vastness of God’s love, the Holy Child Jesus came incarnate to the world to accomplish salvation for us. He came to restore the value and worth of our lives and bring us eternal hope!
2. ” In Tenderness He Sought Me “
In tenderness He sought me, Weary and sick with sin, And on His shoulders brought me
Back to His fold again. While angels in His presence sang Until the courts of heaven rang. O the love that sought me! O the blood that bought me! O the grace that brought me to the fold, Wondrous grace that brought me to the fold!”
In Luke 15:7; 10, When a person repents and is saved, there is great joy in heaven! This is the most wonderful thing accomplished by the birth of Jesus!
3. Seeking For Me
“Jesus, my Saviour, to Bethlehem came, Born in a manger to sorrow and shame;
Oh, it was wonderful — blest be His name! Seeking for me, for me!”
How incomprehensible this amazing grace is. He has given His own life to find me and save me. He leads me back to his bosom! Why am I worthy of his love? No wonder Paul exclaimed: “It’s great indeed! God appeared in the flesh!”
May we be moved by God’s great love at this Christmas, that we can really enjoy a meaningful Christmas!