(By David Giarrizzo)

We read in Luke 2:22-38 that Jesus’ parents, Mary and Joseph, took their son to the temple in Jerusalem according to the Law of Moses to have him consecrated before the Lord. In that day, the temple would have been a very busy place with people coming and going. But in his account Luke mentions only two individuals who noticed the baby Jesus and understood the significance of his presence. They were Simeon and Anna.

It’s amazing to think that out of the crowds of people at the temple that day, only two besides Mary and Joseph knew Jesus was there. In that sea of religious people, amidst the busyness of that place, only Simeon and Anna stopped to notice, only two paused to worship the Christ. How convicting that should be to those of us who get so caught up in the silly little details of the holiday season—the planning and shopping, the decorating and cooking, the wrapping and travelling and eating (and eating and eating!!). There are plenty of aspects of the holidays to distract us from the purpose of our celebration. But like Simeon and Anna, we should never let anything around us take our focus off of Christ.

And coming up at that very hour she began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:38

We read further in Luke 2 that the aged widow Anna who was at the temple that day not only noticed the baby Jesus, but she thanked the Lord for Him before others and told others about Him. She had bold faith that cared not for the feelings and beliefs of others, but cared for their souls. She was an evangelist in the most religious place in Jerusalem. She knew Jesus as her Messiah and she worshipped Him by thanking publicly and telling others about him. Here is what Luther says about Anna’s faith:

Now faith and the knowledge of Christ cannot be silent. They break forth and testify, so that others may be helped and receive the light. …Faith is too kind and bountiful to keep all such treasures to itself. But when it speaks it is persecuted…yet it does not care and goes right ahead. And who knows how Anna was treated! But perhaps they spared her on account of her age and sex, and simply despised her as a silly fool. Otherwise her life would hardly have been preserved, because she proclaimed such error and heresy, declaring of Christ such marvelous things, in opposition to all the doctrines and systems of the learned priests and teachers of the law. …For if we speak of the redemption of Christ we declare that they are bound in sin and blindness. This however is too much for these great saints, to be called blind sinners! Therefore they cannot endure hearing anything of Christ and his redemption, and consequently they condemn it as a dangerous error and a diabolical heresy.

Therefore, let us imitate Anna and proclaim the Christ of the Bible unashamedly in the face of other religions. Roman Catholicism, Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and Islam all teach a different message about Christ. Remember the words of Christ Himself in Matthew 10:32: “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven.” Even parts of “evangelicalism” are missing the point when it comes to the Gospel of Christ. This is even more reason for us to be humbly thankful that Christ has revealed Himself to us sinners. In response to His love for us, our attitude of gratefulness should bear fruit through our actions as we speak to others about Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of men.

This time of year provides many opportunities for most of us to share our thankfulness to God for sending His Son, Jesus. May we not be like most of society and miss the importance of Christmas. And as we enter another new calendar year, let us make it our top priority, our most important resolution, to be visibly thankful for our blessed Savior with boldness in telling others of Christ.

(By David Giarrizzo)

“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”

When the angels sang this song from the heavens on that ever-so holy night, they were proclaiming a doxology of praise to God and passing along the very almost-unbelievable promise of “peace on earth.”

It is this part about peace on earth that most intrigues me when I read this passage. Peace on earth: so many questions come to mind when I try to think about that notion. You don’t need to be a news junkie as I am to know how messed up our world is. Words like terror, violence, bloodshed, hostility, war, and crime seem to better express the state of affairs on planet earth than peace. But the Word of God clearly describes a “peace on earth” heralded by the angles.

In order to understand what God meant by “peace on earth,” we need to first understand what He didn’t mean. We hear the phrase misused all over the place this time of year. It is written on Christmas cards, waved on flags and banners, preached by multiculturalists and pacifists, and sung about in sappy songs.  But the peace on earth of Luke 2 does not mean political peace between different countries. It does not mean the absence of hostility or the presence of brotherly affection between humans. So then what exactly were the angels telling those shepherds? How would there be peace on earth through the birth of one little baby in a small town in Bethlehem?

The peace of Luke 2:14 has nothing to do with peace between humans and everything to do with peace with God. John Calvin appropriately describes the peace that Luke speaks of as such:

We obtain peace with God, when he begins to be gracious to us, by taking away our guilt, and “not imputing to us our trespasses,” (2 Corinthians 5:19) and when we, relying on his fatherly love, address him with full confidence, and boldly praise him for the salvation which he has promised to us.

Here’s what J.C. Ryle said about this peace on earth—

Now is come to earth the peace of God which surpasses all understanding,—the perfect peace between a holy God and a sinful man, which Christ was to purchase with his own blood,—the peace which is offered freely to all mankind, the peace which, once admitted into the heart, makes men live at peace with one another, and will one day overspread the whole world.

Thus, this peace on earth is a spiritual peace that is divinely granted by God Himself to only those upon whom His favor and mercy rests. This peace is the peace that God makes with us when he turns our hateful and rebellious hearts of stone into obedient and humble hearts of flesh. This peace is the peace that comes with salvation! Look at these two verses that speak about this kind of peace:

“For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.” Colossians 3:19-20

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

So my question and the ultimate point is this: How exactly did God the Father secure this peace on earth through that baby Jesus? The angels said that there would be peace on earth, but how would this peace become a reality? How would this peace be given, or transferred, to us? (This is where things get interesting!)

Read what God’s prophet Isaiah said…

“But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
Isaiah 53:5

How does Isaiah explain how this peace was brought to men?…through Christ’s punishment! Therefore, the answer to the question is this: God used violence to bring peace!

It seems slightly odd to us to think that violence can produce peace. But we need not look any further than the history of the 20^th Century to get a small glimpse of how this scenario has been played out with humans. World War II is a prime example. Through violence (war), peace was eventually established in both Europe and between America and Japan. Ultimately, it took two atomic bombs exploding to save lives and bring peace. Further, throughout the Old Testament we see God using violence to achieve His purposes. One of the most used, God-ordained practices in Israel was blood atonement which always included the killing of an animal. Why do you think God had the Israelites sacrifice to Him like this? To point to the ultimate sacrifice which came in the person of Jesus Christ!

“In him we have redemption through his blood”
Ephesians1:7

God brought us peace through violence. The way in which Christ was killed was one of the most violent popular methods of execution known in all of human history. The Romans were brutal when it came to punishing criminals. And yet this is the way God showed His love for us—by allowing His only, beloved Son to come to earth and bring us peace by dying this horrific death. What a Savior we have who was willing to offer Himself in this fashion! And what a Father we worship who gave us this opportunity to find peace in the Prince of Peace Himself!

Revelation 5:12 reminds us how important an event Christ’s death was for us by telling us that in heaven the eternal song of the redeemed will be a song about death:

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”

We need to remember—not just as we near December 25^th, but all year round—that Christ’s entrance into this world was for the purpose of dying for us in order to bring eternal peace between God and men. Thus, the manger rested in the shadow of the cross.

May we not forget this important lesson this Christmas season in the middle of all of our shopping and eating and celebrating; instead, thank Jesus for coming to earth, dying for you, and may God indeed receive the glory for all these things.

(By David Giarrizzo)

Each month at Grace Covenant Church a different hymn is featured and sung every Sunday for that month. Usually the goal is for the congregation to learn new hymns or be exposed to old ones. For this month we have been singing “Lift Up Your Heads, Ye Mighty Gates” from the Trinity hymnal. As I looked afresh at the words of this hymn, especially the last two lines of each stanza, I noticed the Trinitarian theology that is clearly on display. Consider these words:

We praise thee, Father, now, Creator, wise art thou!
We praise thee, Savior, now, Mighty in deed art thou!
We praise thee, Spirit, now, Our Comforter art thou!

The work of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are evidenced in the incarnation and appropriately worshipped through this hymn. In fact, this hymn is a helpful reminder to believers to hold high the doctrine of the Trinity in our thoughts, words and worship. By definition, our Christmas celebrations should be defined by Christ-centered worship and praise. Likewise, our worship should be consistently Trinitarian as we give thanks to God the Father for sending His Son Jesus to save us from God’s wrath and granting us the Holy Spirit to sanctify our hearts.

The rest of the hymn is of great value to read and ponder this Christmas and every Christmas.

1. Lift up your heads, ye mighty gates!
Behold, the King of glory waits;
The King of kings is drawing near,
The Savior of the world is here.
Life and salvation he doth bring,
Wherefore rejoice and gladly sing:
We praise thee, Father, now,
Creator, wise art thou!

The words of the first verse flow directly from the words of the psalmist in Psalm 24:7-10. Looking back to the birth of Christ we recognize that God opened the gates of the world, the ancient doors of heaven, as the King of Glory entered in. When Jesus took on human flesh and entered this world as a human baby boy, heaven sang for joy knowing that this baby, in fulfillment with prophesy and according to God’s sovereign plan, would be the Savior of the world—a Redeemer for people from every tribe, tongue, and nation (Revelation 5:9). Therefore, let us sing with joy and wonder at the wonderful love of the Father to send His only Son to save a wretched people.

2. A Helper just he comes to thee,
His chariot is humility, His kingly crown is holiness,
His scepter, pity in distress.
The end of all our woe he brings;
Wherefore the earth is glad and sings:
We praise thee, Savior, now,
Mighty in deed art thou!

This same baby boy who was the Son of the most high God come down to save sinners appeared in flesh and was born to Mary and Joseph in the humblest of means. Jesus was not born in a palace and then placed in a golden crib. He was born in a shelter for farm animals and laid upon straw and placed in feeding trough on a lonely night in the quiet town of Bethlehem. Christ’s first coming was not characterized by worldly pomp and circumstance. From the moment of his birth to the moment of his ascension into heaven, Jesus’ life was characterized by humility. Even the highlight of Christ’s earthly ministry, when He was lauded by the Jews as their Messiah, Jesus identified himself with a modest donkey, not a stately stallion (Luke 19:35-38). But the words of the Jews in Luke 19 are reminiscent of the words of the angel in Luke 2—

“Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” (Luke 19:38)
“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord….Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:11-14)

In spite of His humility, Christ is the most glorious King and a just Helper of the neediest of sinners. May we ever remember the truth of Philippians 2:5-11:

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

3. O blest the land, the city blest,
Where Christ the Ruler is confessed!
O happy hearts and happy homes
To whom this King in triumph comes!
The cloudless sun of joy he is,
Who bringeth pure delight and bliss.
We praise thee, Spirit, now,
Our Comforter art thou!

Sadly, just as the birth of baby Jesus went largely unnoticed by many people living in Judea at the time, the reality of Christ continues to be ignored by many people living in the world today. But He is not unnoticed by all. There are “happy hearts and happy homes” all around the world where the reality of Jesus Christ has been known and experienced due to the mind-enlightening, heart-enthralling grace of God. To those whom Christ has been made known, He is truly a confessed Ruler, a triumphant King; “the cloudless Sun of joy He is, Who bringeth pure delight and bliss.” Herein lies “the reason for the season”—Jesus Christ and the joy of salvation that He brings to the hearts of men and women all around the world.

This Christmas, let us focus our thoughts and worship on the only wise, triune God Who is from everlasting to everlasting. And as we adore the One Who was born as a baby to rescue men from their sins, may we “rejoice and gladly sing” for the “life and salvation he doth bring.”

A deacon in my church, Barry Sewell, wrote the following comments about a family devotion he read. My wife and I are currently reading through the same book and found this particular devotion especially good. Barry’s comments prove both a good summary and challenge the modern Christian to give greater thought to Christmas and the means of grace. – Chad Bennett

“Tonight during family devotion, we read a short reading from Jonathan Edwards based on Luke 11:27-28:

While Jesus was saying these things, one of the women in the crowd raised her voice and said to Him, “Blessed is the womb that bore You and the breasts at which You nursed.” But He said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.”

Edwards brought up the passages in Luke 1:28 and Luke 1:48-49, where Mary is called “highly favored,” “blessed among women,” and one who “from henceforth all generations” shall call her blessed. Indeed quite a blessing to be chosen as Edwards puts it “the mother of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that Creator of the world, and the Savior of sinners and the Judge of angels and men.”

But then Edwards goes on to focus on the Luke 11 passage. Apparently one listening to the teachings of Jesus broke out in praise and blessed the mother of Jesus, Mary. He goes on to point out the response of Jesus to this statement. Jesus says, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” Edwards writes:

How great a privilege was it to this young virgin to conceive in her womb and hold in her arms and suckle at her breasts, a Child who was the Son of the highest, who was the great and eternal and infinitely beloved Son of God, the Creator and mighty Governor of heaven and earth and the great Savior of mankind. . . . But hearing and keeping the word of God renders a person more blessed than any of those privileges. . . .The woman to who Christ directed himself in the text had been hearing the word externally. Christ therefore here informs her that if she not only hears but keeps this word, he will render her more blessed than that privilege that she spoke of.

Do we believe that today? Can we imagine that we can be more blessed than Mary was, who experienced the wonderful privileges mentioned above? Well, Jesus tell us that we can and are more blessed than Mary if we hear His words and obey them. Indeed as an English speaking nation, we have to quote Dan Wallace, “an embarrassment of riches” when it comes to the Word of God. We have multitudes of translations in our language. But do we avail ourselves of these riches. Jesus tells us that if we will read, hear, and obey His word, we will be blessed. What a wonderful promise to remember this Christmas. Do we believe this promise? Well, do we read His word? Do we hear it faithfully preached? Do we obey it? If so, we are indeed most highly blessed. Even more so than being the mother or even a blood relative of Jesus (Matthew 12:47-50)

This devotion came from a book entitled “Come, Thou Long-Expected Jesus: Experiencing the Peace and Promise of Christmas.” It contains 22 reading from various authors focusing on the incarnation of Christ. I highly recommend it to you for your edification and use during this season.”