A Call to Renewal

The Christmas star lighted the wise men’s hearts
showing the way to Bethlehem’s stall
to view the newborn King.

They honored Him with their treasures,
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
We honor Him for setting us free from sin.

Let us seek the Eternal One,
His life to receive
that in the joy of His presence
we may worship Him in wonder and praise.

As they of long ago shared the glorious news
that Christ the King has come 

we too rejoice that He will come again.

May the Lord who sent angels 
to humble shepherds in a field
and a star for wise men to guide,

call us at this holy season to behold Jesus anew,
and offer treasures from hearts in which He dwells.

Edward F. Lundwall, Jr.

Epiphany 2022

God With Us!

 

The incarnation of Jesus Christ is greatest of all miracles. That God should take on flesh is astonishing and marvelous! The distance between the Creator and the creature has been closed. Communion has been restored, though many reject this great gift.

The union of the human nature with the fully divine nature is uniquely found in Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us! By His incarnation God the Son has shown us God the Father. 

He has shown us the way to the Father. It is by taking hold of Him by faith. 

At his baptism, Jesus was revealed as the Beloved Son whose authority we are to embrace. We are to heed his words.

On Mount Tabor in Galilee with Peter, James, and John Jesus "was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias [Elijah] talking with him." And a bright cloud overshadowed them and a voice from heaven said: "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him." (Matthew 17:1-5) 

He is truth. No matter how the philosophers define truth, it is no longer a vague concept. It is personified in Jesus Christ. (John 14)

He has fulfilled God’s promises to Abraham that God's son is made the sacrifice that brings life. 

He has fulfilled the Law so that the rules and ritual obligations imposed by Judaism do not block the way of salvation. 

He has fulfilled the prophecies of old. (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah 53; Hosea 11, Romans 15:8)

He became the propitiation for our sins: "and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 2:2)

Related reading: Who is Jesus?; What Abraham Discovered on Mount Moriah