Hi Friends,
There is so much I want to say, but I am trying to keep my weekly e-mails brief, so people will actually read them!
First of all, THANK YOU! Elizabeth and I (a.k.a. Joseph & Mary) were tremendously blessed by your generosity to us last Sunday. What an amazing thing the Lord has done by bringing us to Brownsville! We love you and thank God for you. Also, thank you to so many who came out to the open house. It was a joy to see the fellowship taking place while enjoying great desserts.
I also wanted to comment briefly on the aftermath of the horrific tragedy in Newtown, CT. It’s hard to imagine anything worse: the slaughtering of innocent children. This week we are hearing about multiple funerals for teachers, the principle, and of course the children. I was reminded as I was studying Matthew 2 that something similar happened after Jesus was born. But this atrocity took place upon the order of the King, Herod. Matthew 2:16-18 describes the killing of all boys in Bethlehem age 2 and under, because of Herod’s paranoia and fury. Obviously these are two different incidents. But I think there are similarities in what we take away from them. For one thing, these things are not outside of God’s sovereignty. But we are again reminded that we live in a fallen world, filled with sin. The only time this world will see total peace is when the Prince of Peace returns. I guess the other “take away” from this is to not take life for granted. Hug your children a little longer. Show love and graciousness a bit more. The sad truth is, you never know when the last thing you say to a loved on is… the last thing you ever get to say to him/her. One other good thing that has come is the string of “acts of kindness” that have been spreading around the country. I know these will not necessarily help the grieving families, but at least it shows that there is hope still in our country. Well, there is much more that could be said, but time prevents me here.
I also often like to comment on something I’ve read in our Daily Bible Reading Calendar readings on the day I write this email. But again, there was so much good stuff! So I will leave it up to you – if you want to read some great verses for today, these are my suggestions – Zechariah 14:9; Psalm 139:11-12 (of course the whole chapter’s great); Proverbs 20:7; and Revelation 4:8-11, and 5:5-14. I was reminded again today that the One we worship is not anymore the baby in the manger. He is the King over all the earth! He is the Light of the world! He is holy, holy, holy! He is worthy to receive all glory! He is the Lamb that was slain!
This Sunday morning I will be speaking on “Gifts Fit for a King” from Matthew 2:1-12. Please read that ahead of time. I will be especially focusing on verse 11, and learning what the wise men gave the Christ when they found Him.
Don’t forget that Sunday evening (6pm) we will share in “Christmas by Candlelight”. This will hopefully become a part of your family’s tradition as you celebrate what Christmas is really all about. I have found these services in the past to be perhaps my greatest highlight of the season. Please plan to join us. Also, we plan to share in a dessert fellowship following the service. This too will be rather informal, but if you could bring some dessert to share, potluck style, that would be great!
I hope you’re looking toward Christmas with child-like anticipation!
Love From Your Pastor,
Michael