Late Christmas Gift

A late Christmas gift can be perfect.  With so many families there are only twenty-four hours in the day.  Many families have to divide time between family and friends.  I remember growing up, that late Christmas gift was something to look forward too!  Incidentally, the song The Twelve Days of Christmas is covered in today’s Bible study and is all about one late Christmas gift after another.

When Jesus walked into the temple 43 days after his birth, he was there to fulfill what God has commanded his Old Testament people to do.  In fact, Jesus was already living the perfect life, with the help of his parents.  He was circumcised on the 8th day of his life following the command of our God.

The study of baby Jesus can bring to light the topic of life in America.  It’s scary to consider how little life is valued in America.  Almost 62 million Americans have lost their lives to abortion since it was legalized in 1973.  Those stats are only for surgical or medical abortions.  Between 1965 and 2009 some suggest that there have been 14 million chemical abortions each year.  That means the number of chemical abortions is well in excess of 610 million Americans.  Our church body also has resources on the topic of abortion HERE, a website called Christian Life Resources.

Just in the past few weeks an advisory panel in the CDC made recommendations that would allow for 6.5% more COVID deaths over all prioritizing young people over America’s older population.  End of life issues are just as alarming.

The root of all of this is sin.  The sinful heart knows exactly what God says.  He has burned his law onto the hearts of mankind.  Yet, the sinful mind is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.  The Apostle Paul knew all too well how dangerous this was.  He saw the leanings of his own heart and asked for God’s help.  The only cure for sin is the gospel of Jesus.  Jesus kept the law in our place so that he might die in our place.  By faith in his sacrifice we are forgiven and free from guilt.  Simeon saw this late Christmas gift and praised God for it.

Want to hear more?  …including how a Frank Sinatra song almost made it’s way into the funeral plans of one of my first members?  Watch this Sunday’s message taken from Luke 2: Late Christmas Gift.