Bringing Home The Point

Sometimes preachers have difficulty bringing home the point.  Parishioners are probably saying, "Land the plane!"  I get it, but still I have my moments.  God doesn't!

The Christmas story in Luke 2 is all about God doing 2 things.  First, God "lands the plane" of fulfilling numerous Old Testament prophecies.  Words from Genesis, Isaiah, Micah, and even Leviticus become fulfilled (completed) in the birth of Jesus.  He brings to fruition what we, in the Church, have been discussing for weeks (we lit the candles of Hope and Peace over the past two weeks), as angels sing about the Hope of the Messiah and Peace on Earth.

But God also does something that we might not see.  Luke 2 isn't just an arrival ... it is a departure.  Yes, God lands one plane, but He also sends all of creation on a new journey.  Jesus calls it the coming of the Kingdom of God (on earth as it is in heaven).  John the Baptist announces, "The Kingdom of God is at hand (Jesus is walking up, Mark 1:15)."  Then, Jesus begins to tell us "the Kingdom of God is like ... 

Do you get it?  Do you see it?  The message ... the point ... is that Jesus both brings the Kingdom to earth and is getting up a load of believers who will be part of His eternal Kingdom that will have heaven descending ot earth (Revelation 21:2)."  And WE (the Church) get to be part of that majestic and beautiful plan!

So, for those of you who are in the throes of the daily grind, or in the busyness of the Christmas season ... never forget that "Greater things are still to come (John 14:12)."  Not my words, but God's!