"But when the goodness and lovingkindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us..." — Titus 3:4-5a

O Holy Night
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope-the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!

There is one day each year in our household that changes everything, because, on that day, everything changes. That day is the day after Thanksgiving. On that day, we turn up the Christmas music for the first time, take out the decorations, and put up the lights inside our house. Later, in the evening, we enjoy our firstChristmas cookies and watch our first Christmas movie of the season. And, for the first time, we light up our outside Christmas light spectacle, hoping not to blow any fuses. I look forward to that day all yearlong.

But, even as sin continued to plague humanity, God continued to remind his people of his Gospel promise: a Savior-King was coming!

Redemptive history has a similar day. Ever since the fall ofAdam and Eve in the garden, humanity has been dealing with the devastating reality of sin. Though God promised Eve a son who would one day crush the head of the serpent, sin continued to wreak havoc on humanity. But, even as sin continued to plague humanity, God continued to remind his people of his Gospel promise: a Savior-King was coming!

God promised Abraham that, through his family, the nations would be blessed. God promised David that a descendant from his own body would reign on the throne in righteousness forever and ever. Through Isaiah, God promised a virgin-born Son who would bring light to a dark world. And yet, humanity had to wait.

But then it happened.Everything changed because God showed up. WhatGod promised in the past was revealed and appeared. The Virgin Mary gave birth to Christ, who gives eternal life to all who trust in him. Salvation came to sinners like us by way of the manger and the cross.This is grace. This is love. This is kindness.

Christmas isn't just about something that happened in the past. It's also about something that will happen in the future.

But Christmas isn't just about something that happened in the past. It's also about something that will happen in the future. Death has been defeated, and immortality is ours because Christ appeared. Just as our Savior was raised, so too will we be raised in victory over death, and all of creation will be made new forever (Romans 6:4 & 8:20-21).God has promised us these things. Now it is our turn to wait.

As you celebrate Christmas this year, don't just look back to the humble manger. Look forward with great anticipation to the return of the King who will appear in glory,"... for yonder breaks a new and glorious morn."

Liturgy

Gracious God,
Thank you for Christmas, for sending Jesus,
and for showing us your kindness and love.
We could never earn your love,
yet you came close to us in Christ.
‍Through him you wash us clean,
give us new life, and fill us with your Spirit.
Because of Jesus, we are your children,
and we hold a hope that never ends.
On this holy day, we thank you for a love greater than our failures,
for joy deeper than our circumstances,
and for peace the world cannot give or comprehend.
Help us carry the kindness of Christ into our homes,
to share his mercy with our neighbors,
and to shine his light in a world that longs for peace.
We praise you for the gift of Jesus, your Son,
our Savior, and the reason we celebrate.
And we look forward with hope to his return
when we will seethe King face-to-face,
a new and glorious morning forever.
We pray these things in the name of Christ our Lord,
Amen