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Joy to the World?!

Post-Christmas funk!

The time right after all the Christmas fun and festivities; gifts, family, food, and time-off is over. The mountaintop and been scaled; now back to the valleys of life!

A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.

Matthew 2:18

In our texts today we discuss a horrific event just a few years into the birth of Jesus – His family fleeing to Egypt and the slaughter of male children two and under in the region of Bethlehem.

It is hard to fathom the pain and anguish!

Wasn’t the coming of Jesus supposed to bring forth “joy for all people?!” Wasn’t it to usher in blessings instead of curses like these? Wasn’t He to being life instead of death?

We ask questions like this now, too.

If we are believers in the King of kings and Lord of lords, why is life such a mess? Why am I such a mess?

Of course we know the answer: although Jesus conquered sin, death, and the Devil, they are still in this world and with us until Jesus returns. Although they are still enemies, they are defeated, but still inflict as much pain and anguish as they can.

Rather than focus on the pain and suffering, we focus on the Savior who is victorious over them and confidently cry “Abba! Father!” to the Almighty who hears and loves us. When bogged down in the cesspool and sin, we are attached to the One who saves and sanctifies.

Let us enter the valleys of life as we scaled the mountaintop of Christmas – with joy and confidence, knowing who we worship – the newborn King!

“Lord Jesus, thank You for coming humbly to us, born in the flesh save us from ours. Help us to remember to look to You, not just in the joy of Christmas, but also as the Victor in the valleys! In Your precious name, Jesus. Amen!”

Scriptures

  • Galatians 4:4-7
  • Jeremiah 31:15-17
  • Matthew 2:13-23
  • Psalm 111

CHRISTMAS EVE – “A Light that Leads Us Home

Tonight is the culmination of our series, “Coming Home for Christmas.” It all comes down to this. To HIM; born for us!

For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.

Isaiah 9:6-7

May the Lord bless your celebration of the birth of the Savior, Jesus: our Light Who leads us to our everlasting Home!

A Home Unbroken

Family is phenominal!

Family is frustrating!

A part of every big holiday seasons like Christmas is the gathering of family. It is one of the main things people are most axious about – positively and negatively.

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 44:22

With loved ones come intimacy and irritation; jockularity and judgement; love and loathing; valuation and vexation.

Often the season itself is overshadowed by the familial dynamics at play – even to the point of perhaps minimizing or avoiding the gathering altogether.

Sin affects relationships and this is felt more with those we are closest to than anyone else.

This goes all the way back to the Fall in the Garden. The loving, intimate relationship we had with God (and Adam and Eve to each other) was perfect and a blessing in every way. Nothing was difficult. Nothing was hurtful. Nothing was dysfunctional.

A sin broke our relationship with God and mars all our relationships with each other.

But God wasn’t content with that. He doesn’t want a Home or relatiojnship that is broken. So He sent Jesus to obliderate oppresion; rule in righteousness; comfort the crushed; save from sins; redeem relationships; bridge the broken; love the lost; heal the Home.

Christmas is a time to celebrate that in the Chirst Child of Jesus, our relationship with God and others are restored and we have a heavenly Home to look forward to where there will never be brokenness again.

That is something to look forward to!

Thank You, Lord!

Eternal God, you promise a new heaven and a new earth where all your children will be gathered as one. Heal our divisions, reconcile our brokenness, and fill us with the hope of your everlasting kingdom. Keep us steadfast in faith until the day when we worship before you in perfect unity and joy. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Isaiah 66:18-23

No Place Like Home

We all know “The Wizard of Oz” phrase that Dorothy uses when she clicks her ruby-shoed-heels together, “There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home. There’s no place like home.”

I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to Me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 44:22

Home is where the heart is. It’s where we are comfortable; familiar; at ease. When something is comfy we think of it also as “homey.”

This is probably reflected more during the Christmas season than any other time in songs like “There’s no place like home for the holidays” and “I’ll be home for Christmas.”

But for the Christian, “Home” is often misunderstood. Our home isn’t here. Our Home is with our Lord and other believers in the New Creation.

Isaiah gives us a glimpse of this in Isaiah 55:1-5.

When we long for home, we should be longing for our heavenly Home. We should be looking forward to our Father’s House, which has many rooms which Jesus is preparing for us (John 14:2-3).

And we get to picture and long for this Home because of what Jesus – the child-King coming for us – on the cross and through the empty tomb.

Looking to Him, we see our Home.

There is no place like it!

Thank you, Lord!

Gracious God, you invite the thirsty to drink and the hungry to be filled without cost. Teach us to turn from empty pursuits and to delight in the rich food of your grace. Keep us secure in your covenant love, that we may both rejoice in your feast and share it with those who hunger. Through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

Scriptures

  • Isaiah 55:1-5

SMOKE ‘TIL SUNRISE – Christmas Edition

Join us for a night of fellowship, fun, and Christmas cheer at LifeBridge Community Church!

Bring your brisket and $20 (this donation helps cover wood, spices, butcher paper, and other supplies so we can smoke your brisket to perfection).

  1. 📅 Drop-off / Show-up: Friday, December 19th by 7:00 PM
  2. ⏰ Pick-up: Saturday, December 20th by Noon

Space is limited to the first 10 briskets, so don’t wait! A sign-up sheet will be available at Sunday service.

Come hang out with your community, share some laughs, and enjoy the warmth of the season while we handle the cooking.

Whether you drop off your brisket or stick around for the fun, it’s a delicious way to celebrate together!

🎅 Don’t miss the smoke, spice, and holiday nice — only at LifeBridge!

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