The Tag on God's Christmas Present to You

Thoughts taken from the Christmas Eve Sermon by Pastor Paul Gysan

Luke 2: 1-20

In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. Then an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!’

We at Christ the King hope that you had a Merry Christmas Day and that you continue to enjoy the entire Christmas season.

We also hope that you found that very special gift under your Christmas tree...the one sent by God himself...here is a photo of the tag on this present. If you still do not know what the present is, listen careful to the angel’s message, “to you is born this day a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord.”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help us to keep the love and joy in our hearts throughout the coming year. Amen.

Postlude: Searching and Proclaiming Throughout the Cyber-World

Advent is a time of searching. Whether you are Mary and Joseph searching for a place at the inn, the shepherds searching in Bethlehem after hearing the angel proclamation, or the wise men searching for the child after seeing the star, we are all searching. And once we find the child, we proclaim him Messiah.

Our modern, cyber-based world allows people worldwide to search and proclaim in new and unusual ways. At Christ the King, we have found the Christ Child and have continued to proclaim him Messiah throughout the cyber-world using our Advent Devotions. During our first two weeks of publication, 183 unique visitors read this web edition of our Advent Devotions. Our U.S. visitors – from Cleveland, Chicago, Minnesota, San Francisco, Denver, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas City, St. Louis, Dallas, Ft. Worth, Boston, New York, Atlanta, Southern California, Baltimore, and Northern Virginia– came and viewed an average of nearly three devotions per visit. Our international visitors came from Jakarta, Indonesia, Vienna, Austria, Bombay, India, and Hong Kong, China.

We also sent our Advent Devotions out each day to 39 subscribers via email. While we know that many of these are members or friends of Christ the King, a few remain unknown to us – they simply visited the devotions web site and asked to be added to subscription list. We do know that the devotions emails were distributed far and wide – from Brooklyn, New York, to Ft. Worth, Texas, to Lakeside, Montana.

As we close the 2006 Advent Devotions, let us hope and pray that all of us – from those here in Great Falls, Virginia, to those located throughout the world – each day continue to search and find the Christ Child and then go away, like the shepherds, proclaiming him Messiah.

His Name Is...

Devotion by: Pastor Paul Gysan

Isaiah 9:1-6

¹But there will be no gloom for those who were in anguish. In the former time he brought into contempt the of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he will make glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations.
²The people who walked in darkness
have seen a great light;
those who lived in a land of deep darkness—
on them light has shined.
³You have multiplied the nation,
you have increased its joy;
they rejoice before you
as with joy at the harvest,
as people exult when dividing plunder.
⁴For the yoke of their burden,
and the bar across their shoulders,
the rod of their oppressor,
you have broken as on the day of Midian.
⁵For all the boots of the tramping warriors
and all the garments rolled in blood
shall be burned as fuel for the fire.
⁶For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

It’s the dawn of a new day! Many households are up early today, with anticipation of seeing the gifts Santa Claus has left. As a youngster my brother and I had flashlights ready, journeying even in the darkness to see gifts we received.

It’s a dawn of a new day! Jesus the light of the world is born. For centuries people “sat in darkness” but now is the dawn of a new day! A name was given to this child – Jesus. The name fully describes his purpose, for he has come into the darkness of the world to save people from their sin. Jesus is his name! This savior has four descriptive attributes: “wonderful counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, prince of peace.” Amid corrupt rulers, Jesus’ rule and counsel would signify that a new day has dawned!

Which of these attributes best fit Jesus as you know him? Has Jesus been to you a counselor bringing enlightenment and help, lifting you out of darkness into the dawn of a new day? Is Jesus for you a “divine hero” who stands above all earthly heroes in giving his life on the cross for you? Is Jesus like an everlasting father, one there to comfort, support, and guide you? Is Jesus like a “prince of peace” who offers security amid the turmoil of this world?

It’s the dawn of a new day! The gift of Jesus was given to you and me. Rise and greet this day with thanksgiving and joy, for Jesus is His name, and he is the light of the world, “wonderful counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Merry Christmas!

Prayer: O God, thank you for the gift of Jesus who lights up my life! I celebrate a new day that has dawned, for my Savior has been born! God, this gift came from you, but it has my name on it. I’m so thankful for this gift. Help me to daily unwrap anew the power of Jesus’ presence, and live in the light of God’s grace. What a joyous day this day. Happy Birthday Jesus! Amen!!!

Lighting of Fourth Candle: The Runt

Devotion by: Victoria Wagner

Micah 5:1-4a

⁵Now you are walled around with a wall;
siege is laid against us;
with a rod they strike the ruler of Israel
upon the cheek.
²But you, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
³Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labour has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
⁴And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;

It’s Christmas Eve, and we’re awaiting the arrival of our King ~ not just any king, but our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The preparations are complete ~ the cookies have been baked; the packages have been wrapped; the cards have been addressed and mailed; the trees have been trimmed; but none of these things matter to our King, for our King is coming as a baby.

How does one care for a baby? I remember when my children were babies, a long time ago. A mother never forgets ~ holding that tiny bundle who is totally dependent on us for all its physical and emotional needs. A baby is entrusted to us to care for and love ~ it’s pure and simple.

But we’re expecting a King, not a baby! A king comes in majesty, not as a tiny babe. Yet, that’s how God chooses to come to us. We’re required to love and care for this tiny treasure ~ it’s pure and simple. With loving hearts, we’re called to nurture and care for one another, for we are God’s tiny treasures. Each of us came to this world as a baby, requiring the simplest care ~ love.

As we’ve grown to adulthood, let us remember how simply we came to this world, and what our purpose is in this world ~ to love as God loves us.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, as we finalize our holiday preparations, please help us to realize that it’s our hearts that need to be prepared to receive the love that you’re sending in your Son, Jesus. Lord, we give thanks for all the many blessings you bestow on us every day ~ may our lives simply reflect the love that you give us so that we may reflect your love to others. Amen.