Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Co 5:17, ESV)
For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. (1 Co 15:22-23, ESV)
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
In the resurrection of Christ something new has begun. It’s not just a rehash of the old. Christ has come as the new Adam. A new creation has begun. In some ways it’s like the old, but in many ways it’s entirely new. Jesus is like the old Adam, but without confusion He is also the God-man. He does not sin; therefore this new creation is without corruption. Christ has done what no man could do. God has raised Him from the dead and has designated Him the living head of the new race. He has become the life-giving Spirit. If you are a Christian you have new life and if you have new life Christ has been raised from the dead. The day will come when the Christian will put off corruption and sin fully and finally. We too will be raised incorruptible because we have already been raised together with Christ. We have been and will be made new.
Thankful for grace revealed in new life,
Pastor Dan
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
The Importance of Origins
'Man in his ignorance thinks himself a great work worthy of the interposition of a deity. More humble and I think truer to consider him created from animals.'
- Charles Darwin in 1838, cited in Created from Animals, James Rachels, p. 1
'...then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.'
- Genesis 2:7
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
The ascertaining of where we've come from will determine where we are going. In other words, if man has his origins in primordial soup then his end won't really matter. If man is no different than animals then all sorts of mischief will be expected. With this sort of sentient reductionism the intrinsic value of an infant will be no different than that of a kitten. In the words of animal rights apologist Ingrid Newkirk, 'A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They’re all animals.' Only when origins are removed will it make sense to conclude that the Jewish Holocaust is the moral equivalence to the slaughter of broiler chickens.* When you have no certainty in the beginning, you have no certainty at the end. As Christians our defense of human life comes from an understanding of beginnings. With the clarity of God's Word the beginnings of life have never been in doubt. This has been God's revealed creative fiat and His prerogative from the outset. Life is His to both give and take, and particularly human life bears intrinsic worth because God is its author and He has deemed it so. Life is important because the redemption of it came at an inestimable cost. In the beginning the first Adam died, and in the end the second Adam rose from the dead. Human life matters because God declared it so from the beginning, and because of the Cross and resurrection it will be so at the end.
Standing for life with you,
Pastor Dan
*Ingrid Newkirk, cited in, The Washington Post, November 13, 1983
- Charles Darwin in 1838, cited in Created from Animals, James Rachels, p. 1
'...then the LORD God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.'
- Genesis 2:7
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
The ascertaining of where we've come from will determine where we are going. In other words, if man has his origins in primordial soup then his end won't really matter. If man is no different than animals then all sorts of mischief will be expected. With this sort of sentient reductionism the intrinsic value of an infant will be no different than that of a kitten. In the words of animal rights apologist Ingrid Newkirk, 'A rat is a pig is a dog is a boy. They’re all animals.' Only when origins are removed will it make sense to conclude that the Jewish Holocaust is the moral equivalence to the slaughter of broiler chickens.* When you have no certainty in the beginning, you have no certainty at the end. As Christians our defense of human life comes from an understanding of beginnings. With the clarity of God's Word the beginnings of life have never been in doubt. This has been God's revealed creative fiat and His prerogative from the outset. Life is His to both give and take, and particularly human life bears intrinsic worth because God is its author and He has deemed it so. Life is important because the redemption of it came at an inestimable cost. In the beginning the first Adam died, and in the end the second Adam rose from the dead. Human life matters because God declared it so from the beginning, and because of the Cross and resurrection it will be so at the end.
Standing for life with you,
Pastor Dan
*Ingrid Newkirk, cited in, The Washington Post, November 13, 1983
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Subjected to Futility...in Hope
'God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciences, but shouts in our pain: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.'
- C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (HarperCollins, 2002) p. 91
'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.'
- Romans 8:19-21
No one laughs at God in a hospital; No one laughs at God in a war.
No one laughs at God in a hospital; No one laughs at God in a war.
No one laughing at God in hospital; No one's laughing at God in a war.
No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor.
No one's laughing at God; No one's laughing at God; No one's laughing at God.
- Regina Spektor, Laughing With
'...Jesus treats wars and natural disasters not as agenda items in a discussion of the mysterious ways of God, but as incentives to repentance. It is as if he is saying that God uses disaster as a megaphone to call attention to our guilt and destination, to the immanence of righteous judgement if he sees no repentance…. Disaster is a call to repentance.'
- D.A. Carson, How Long, O Lord?, p. 67
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
This week we have been been privy to the horrific and tragic news reports from the devastation of the severe earthquake in Haiti. At last report there is no comprehensive and realistic estimates of the death toll and damage. The nearest guess numbers are projected at over 100,000 dead. I find myself moved by empathy for those who are now suffering, and for those will suffer for years to come. The world is broken and there is consequence to its brokeness. Because of sin the creation is subjected to futility. Creation groans under the weight of alienation brought about by man's rebellion. Cancer, tsunamis, earthquakes, death, pain and suffering are the result of our brokenness and sin, but we are not without hope. Though subjected to futility now, redemption will finally come. Death and destruction will not have final say. Creation has been subjected to futility, but the day will come when it is set free from bondage and decay. In Jesus Christ's suffering under the wrath of God the dawning of redemption has come. We don't see it in it entirety yet, but hope has come. In the interim let us pray for those who are suffering in Haiti, and let us use this disaster as a call to repentance. May God humble us to seek His mercy and grace.
Sovereign Grace Ministries has established a way to give to those in need in Haiti. Here is the link if you would like to contribute.
http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/About/FinancialSupport/DisasterRelief.aspx
With much affection,
Pastor Dan
- C. S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain (HarperCollins, 2002) p. 91
'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.'
- Romans 8:19-21
No one laughs at God in a hospital; No one laughs at God in a war.
No one laughs at God in a hospital; No one laughs at God in a war.
No one laughing at God in hospital; No one's laughing at God in a war.
No one's laughing at God when they're starving or freezing or so very poor.
No one's laughing at God; No one's laughing at God; No one's laughing at God.
- Regina Spektor, Laughing With
'...Jesus treats wars and natural disasters not as agenda items in a discussion of the mysterious ways of God, but as incentives to repentance. It is as if he is saying that God uses disaster as a megaphone to call attention to our guilt and destination, to the immanence of righteous judgement if he sees no repentance…. Disaster is a call to repentance.'
- D.A. Carson, How Long, O Lord?, p. 67
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
This week we have been been privy to the horrific and tragic news reports from the devastation of the severe earthquake in Haiti. At last report there is no comprehensive and realistic estimates of the death toll and damage. The nearest guess numbers are projected at over 100,000 dead. I find myself moved by empathy for those who are now suffering, and for those will suffer for years to come. The world is broken and there is consequence to its brokeness. Because of sin the creation is subjected to futility. Creation groans under the weight of alienation brought about by man's rebellion. Cancer, tsunamis, earthquakes, death, pain and suffering are the result of our brokenness and sin, but we are not without hope. Though subjected to futility now, redemption will finally come. Death and destruction will not have final say. Creation has been subjected to futility, but the day will come when it is set free from bondage and decay. In Jesus Christ's suffering under the wrath of God the dawning of redemption has come. We don't see it in it entirety yet, but hope has come. In the interim let us pray for those who are suffering in Haiti, and let us use this disaster as a call to repentance. May God humble us to seek His mercy and grace.
Sovereign Grace Ministries has established a way to give to those in need in Haiti. Here is the link if you would like to contribute.
http://www.sovereigngraceministries.org/About/FinancialSupport/DisasterRelief.aspx
With much affection,
Pastor Dan
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Seeing God's Salvation
'Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law, he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." And his father and his mother marveled at what was said about him. And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed."'
-Luke 2:25-35
'The whole life of Christ was a continual Passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. He found a Golgotha, where he was crucufied, even in Bethlehem, where he was born; for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy at first as the cross at last. His birth and death were but one continual act, and his Christmas day and his Good Friday are but the evening and the morning of the same day. And as even his birth is his death, so every action and passage that manifests Christ to us is his birth, for Epiphany is manisfestation. Every manifestation of Christ to the world, to the church, to a particular soul is an Epiphany, a Christmas day.'
- John Donne, The Showing Forth of Christ, quoted in Watch for the Light, p. 303-304
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Friends and Family,
I love the story of Simeon from Luke 2. Can you imagine this elderly, faithful Jewish gentleman day after day serving and performing his temple duties? He was righteous and devout; a man set upon by the Spirit of God and having been visited by the Spirit who assure him that he would see God's salvation before he died. When Joseph and Mary had brought Jesus to the temple for the rites expected by Levitical law Simeon saw Him. When he set his eyes upon Jesus an old man saw God's salvation. Simeon recognized that this would be God's salvation for all peoples; Gentile and Jew alike. In the new babe Simeon saw what many do not see. He saw hope for all peoples, but also that this salvation would be opposed. Salvation would come at a price. Simeon saw that God's salvation was to be manifest, not by youthful zeal and the hope of a young child, but this salvation would be made manifest by opposition and suffering. Simeon saw God's salvation in a child that would bring salvation through the piercing pain of suffering. Simeon may not have seen God's redemptive plan from beginning to end, but he made the connection between God's salvation and the opposition that was coming to this child. God's redemptive plan included both a manger and a cross. This child was born a martyr.
Rejoicing with Simeon in seeing God's salvation.
Pastor Dan
-Luke 2:25-35
'The whole life of Christ was a continual Passion; others die martyrs, but Christ was born a martyr. He found a Golgotha, where he was crucufied, even in Bethlehem, where he was born; for to his tenderness then the straws were almost as sharp as the thorns after, and the manger as uneasy at first as the cross at last. His birth and death were but one continual act, and his Christmas day and his Good Friday are but the evening and the morning of the same day. And as even his birth is his death, so every action and passage that manifests Christ to us is his birth, for Epiphany is manisfestation. Every manifestation of Christ to the world, to the church, to a particular soul is an Epiphany, a Christmas day.'
- John Donne, The Showing Forth of Christ, quoted in Watch for the Light, p. 303-304
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Friends and Family,
I love the story of Simeon from Luke 2. Can you imagine this elderly, faithful Jewish gentleman day after day serving and performing his temple duties? He was righteous and devout; a man set upon by the Spirit of God and having been visited by the Spirit who assure him that he would see God's salvation before he died. When Joseph and Mary had brought Jesus to the temple for the rites expected by Levitical law Simeon saw Him. When he set his eyes upon Jesus an old man saw God's salvation. Simeon recognized that this would be God's salvation for all peoples; Gentile and Jew alike. In the new babe Simeon saw what many do not see. He saw hope for all peoples, but also that this salvation would be opposed. Salvation would come at a price. Simeon saw that God's salvation was to be manifest, not by youthful zeal and the hope of a young child, but this salvation would be made manifest by opposition and suffering. Simeon saw God's salvation in a child that would bring salvation through the piercing pain of suffering. Simeon may not have seen God's redemptive plan from beginning to end, but he made the connection between God's salvation and the opposition that was coming to this child. God's redemptive plan included both a manger and a cross. This child was born a martyr.
Rejoicing with Simeon in seeing God's salvation.
Pastor Dan
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
You Must be Born Again
Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'
- Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:7
My search plies the dark, born once and now old, can deliverance come for Israel’s teacher grown cold?
Who is this man, the Kingdom’s King? And with whom and to whom will His Kingdom bring?
This man knows my mind, questions hang with queried force, from whence He comes, and from where is His source?
The Kingdom comes how? Will it be mine to possess? I haven’t a clue, I helpless confess.
I should know these things, I’m Pharisee trained, and I’ve never learned of a Kingdom arranged.
His response is upsetting, two wombs must be? One birth binds to man, the other sets free?
The Spirit a sovereign, the wind blows where He will, in my own mind I’m dead and one birth remains still.
I’m a man and not a child, this talk is absurd, and yet something rings true in the sound of His word.
The Spirit must birth, ere the Kingdom is lost; what must I do to unburden this cost?
This Law’s lawkeeper now bent, bowed under its weight, condemned now my lot is sealed as my fate.
Whose word can command, and bring life out of death? Alas, new life like a very first breath.
One word sets free, good news now believed, one birth falls short, but in two life is received.
The sovereign Wind moves where He will, no boasting allowed, grace alone brings mercy to one arrogant and proud.
Moses saw the serpent raised, a Cross lifted brings life, new birth dawns to an old man full of strife.
Whose stony heart can change? What can make this heart flesh? Only one brings a sign of making men fresh.
The Law’s sentinel at long last, has the Kingdom now seen, the Kingdom’s King is here in Whose presence I’ve been.
- Dan Morse, Nicodemus' Query, Advent 2009
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
Christmas indicates that a change has come. In the Incarnation the second Adam has done what the first Adam could not do. He has brought new and eternal life and we must be born again.
From our family to yours we hope for you a glorious Advent season. The most amazing thing has happened...the Kingdom's King has come in womb of a virgin. He was born under the Law and met it's every demand. He was crucified at the hands of sinful men. He was raised on the third day, ascended bodily, and will return again. The first glorious Advent points to the glorious second Advent. Christ has come and is coming again.
Merry Christmas!
With great love and affection.
Pastor Dan
- Jesus to Nicodemus in John 3:7
My search plies the dark, born once and now old, can deliverance come for Israel’s teacher grown cold?
Who is this man, the Kingdom’s King? And with whom and to whom will His Kingdom bring?
This man knows my mind, questions hang with queried force, from whence He comes, and from where is His source?
The Kingdom comes how? Will it be mine to possess? I haven’t a clue, I helpless confess.
I should know these things, I’m Pharisee trained, and I’ve never learned of a Kingdom arranged.
His response is upsetting, two wombs must be? One birth binds to man, the other sets free?
The Spirit a sovereign, the wind blows where He will, in my own mind I’m dead and one birth remains still.
I’m a man and not a child, this talk is absurd, and yet something rings true in the sound of His word.
The Spirit must birth, ere the Kingdom is lost; what must I do to unburden this cost?
This Law’s lawkeeper now bent, bowed under its weight, condemned now my lot is sealed as my fate.
Whose word can command, and bring life out of death? Alas, new life like a very first breath.
One word sets free, good news now believed, one birth falls short, but in two life is received.
The sovereign Wind moves where He will, no boasting allowed, grace alone brings mercy to one arrogant and proud.
Moses saw the serpent raised, a Cross lifted brings life, new birth dawns to an old man full of strife.
Whose stony heart can change? What can make this heart flesh? Only one brings a sign of making men fresh.
The Law’s sentinel at long last, has the Kingdom now seen, the Kingdom’s King is here in Whose presence I’ve been.
- Dan Morse, Nicodemus' Query, Advent 2009
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
Christmas indicates that a change has come. In the Incarnation the second Adam has done what the first Adam could not do. He has brought new and eternal life and we must be born again.
From our family to yours we hope for you a glorious Advent season. The most amazing thing has happened...the Kingdom's King has come in womb of a virgin. He was born under the Law and met it's every demand. He was crucified at the hands of sinful men. He was raised on the third day, ascended bodily, and will return again. The first glorious Advent points to the glorious second Advent. Christ has come and is coming again.
Merry Christmas!
With great love and affection.
Pastor Dan
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Born to Die
'But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.'
- Galatians 4:4-5
'God willed Christ to be our Savior. ...The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, took a human body in order that He might die for our salvation.'
- James Boice, The Christ of Christmas, p. 14
'If there is no incarnation, there is no union with the Son or with the Father, and no regeneration - and no salvation.'
- John Piper, Finally Alive, p. 72
'Every human being longs for a savior of some type. We look for someone or something that will solve our problems, ease our pain, or grant the most elusive goal of all, happiness. From the pursuit of success in business to the discovery of a perfect mate or friend, we make our search.'
- R.C. Sproul, The Glory of Christ, p. 18
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
This time of year our thoughts are turned to the birth of Christ. We rejoice in God becoming a man. We are enamored and mystified by the stories of angels, cattle stalls, stars, and wise men. But there is more at stake in our remembering the birth at Christ than the celebration of His birthday, for the fact of the matter is there is no salvation without the Incarnation. Jesus was born to die. Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world was laid. In other words, it was God's will to crush Him from the beginning; this is the brutal, but marvelous and incomparable way that salvation has been brought to God's people. In the glorious revelation of the gospel God sent Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sins, at just the right time, under the demand of the law, and as the Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Christmas points to Good Friday and Good Friday points to Easter; the manger inevitably leads to the Cross. As a result of the Incarnation were are united to Christ in His life, death, and resurrection. We are joined to Him really and truly. His sinless life as the God-man is ours. His atoning death as the God-man is ours. And His resurrection as the God-man is ours. During this Christmas season remember that without the Incarnation there is no salvation.
Remembering that the manger points to the Cross.
Pastor Dan
- Galatians 4:4-5
'God willed Christ to be our Savior. ...The Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, took a human body in order that He might die for our salvation.'
- James Boice, The Christ of Christmas, p. 14
'If there is no incarnation, there is no union with the Son or with the Father, and no regeneration - and no salvation.'
- John Piper, Finally Alive, p. 72
'Every human being longs for a savior of some type. We look for someone or something that will solve our problems, ease our pain, or grant the most elusive goal of all, happiness. From the pursuit of success in business to the discovery of a perfect mate or friend, we make our search.'
- R.C. Sproul, The Glory of Christ, p. 18
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
This time of year our thoughts are turned to the birth of Christ. We rejoice in God becoming a man. We are enamored and mystified by the stories of angels, cattle stalls, stars, and wise men. But there is more at stake in our remembering the birth at Christ than the celebration of His birthday, for the fact of the matter is there is no salvation without the Incarnation. Jesus was born to die. Jesus was the Lamb slain before the foundation of the world was laid. In other words, it was God's will to crush Him from the beginning; this is the brutal, but marvelous and incomparable way that salvation has been brought to God's people. In the glorious revelation of the gospel God sent Christ as the atoning sacrifice for sins, at just the right time, under the demand of the law, and as the Passover Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. Christmas points to Good Friday and Good Friday points to Easter; the manger inevitably leads to the Cross. As a result of the Incarnation were are united to Christ in His life, death, and resurrection. We are joined to Him really and truly. His sinless life as the God-man is ours. His atoning death as the God-man is ours. And His resurrection as the God-man is ours. During this Christmas season remember that without the Incarnation there is no salvation.
Remembering that the manger points to the Cross.
Pastor Dan
Friday, December 11, 2009
What Child is This?
'And Mary said to the angel, "How will this be, since I am a virgin?"
- Luke 1:34
Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivst, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.
-John Donne (1572-1631), Annunciation
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
- Charles Wesley, Hark the Herald Angels Sing
'View Jesus in the light of God and against the dark background of sin, view Him as the satisfaction of man's deepest need, as the one who alone can lead into all glory and all truth, and you will come, despite all, to the stupendous conviction that the New Testament is true, that God walked here upon the earth, that the eternal Son, because He loved us, came into this world to die for our sins upon the cross.'
- J. Gresham Machen, The Virgin Birth of Christ, p. 381
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
One of the things that sets biblical Christianity apart from other religions is its pervasive supernaturalism. Christianity is dependent upon the truth and reality of God interposing Himself into human history in ways that contravene normal, non-supernatural ways. Consider these examples: God created the world 'ex nihilo' or out of nothing, by the word of His mouth; God held back the Red Sea for the Israelites' safe passage and closed it again on the Egyptian armies; God's presence led Israel in a cloud by day and flame of fire by night; God provided food to eat for the traveling hordes of Israel; God rained fire on the pagan altars at Carmel at the prophets' request; God filled a starving widow's jar with oil for food... Oftentimes, these miraculous events were indications of a long-awaited deliverance. We see the very same in the Gospel. It is in the Gospel that we see the apex of redemptive history made manifest in an astounding supernatural event--A virgin will bring forth a son. The Holy Spirit is the active agent in a supernatural conception and, bypassing normal human conception, God brings forth His Son in the womb of a virgin. This is truly an amazing story of God's supernatural interruption in human history. And this tells us several things. God is active in the events of history, God is in control of human history, and God has a purpose for human history. Rejoice!, for immensity is cloistered in a virgin's womb. Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!
Rejoicing in Immanuel, who is God with us,
Pastor Dan
- Luke 1:34
Salvation to all that will is nigh;
That All, which always is all everywhere,
Which cannot sin, and yet all sins must bear,
Which cannot die, yet cannot choose but die,
Lo, faithful virgin, yields Himself to lie
In prison, in thy womb; and though He there
Can take no sin, nor thou give, yet He will wear,
Taken from thence, flesh, which death's force may try.
Ere by the spheres time was created, thou
Wast in His mind, who is thy Son and Brother;
Whom thou conceivst, conceived; yea thou art now
Thy Maker's maker, and thy Father's mother;
Thou hast light in dark, and shutst in little room,
Immensity cloistered in thy dear womb.
-John Donne (1572-1631), Annunciation
Hark the herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild
God and sinners reconciled"
Joyful, all ye nations rise
Join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim:
"Christ is born in Bethlehem"
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Christ by highest heav'n adored
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come
Offspring of a Virgin's womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see
Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased as man with man to dwell
Jesus, our Emmanuel
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
Hail the heav'n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth
Hark! The herald angels sing
"Glory to the newborn King!"
- Charles Wesley, Hark the Herald Angels Sing
'View Jesus in the light of God and against the dark background of sin, view Him as the satisfaction of man's deepest need, as the one who alone can lead into all glory and all truth, and you will come, despite all, to the stupendous conviction that the New Testament is true, that God walked here upon the earth, that the eternal Son, because He loved us, came into this world to die for our sins upon the cross.'
- J. Gresham Machen, The Virgin Birth of Christ, p. 381
Dear Christ Our Redeemer Family and Friends,
One of the things that sets biblical Christianity apart from other religions is its pervasive supernaturalism. Christianity is dependent upon the truth and reality of God interposing Himself into human history in ways that contravene normal, non-supernatural ways. Consider these examples: God created the world 'ex nihilo' or out of nothing, by the word of His mouth; God held back the Red Sea for the Israelites' safe passage and closed it again on the Egyptian armies; God's presence led Israel in a cloud by day and flame of fire by night; God provided food to eat for the traveling hordes of Israel; God rained fire on the pagan altars at Carmel at the prophets' request; God filled a starving widow's jar with oil for food... Oftentimes, these miraculous events were indications of a long-awaited deliverance. We see the very same in the Gospel. It is in the Gospel that we see the apex of redemptive history made manifest in an astounding supernatural event--A virgin will bring forth a son. The Holy Spirit is the active agent in a supernatural conception and, bypassing normal human conception, God brings forth His Son in the womb of a virgin. This is truly an amazing story of God's supernatural interruption in human history. And this tells us several things. God is active in the events of history, God is in control of human history, and God has a purpose for human history. Rejoice!, for immensity is cloistered in a virgin's womb. Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world!
Rejoicing in Immanuel, who is God with us,
Pastor Dan
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