ZPCBlog

About the author: Thomas has been a member of ZPC since Fall of 2023. He and his wife Jess are often serving in the Littles Ministry on Sundays. And more recently, they also aided in starting up a new blossoming Young Adult Ministry targeting 20-and-30-somethings in the Indy area looking for Christian community. Thomas was welcomed into the position as an incoming deacon for 2025 to serve on the Fellowship Team, as well as to help bring the love of Christ to the newly built apartments just across the road from the church building.

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4 (ESV)

Tomorrow we will celebrate Christmas, a day of rejoicing, laughter, and love. For some, we acknowledge it may be a Christmas where there has been loss or hardship. However you have come into Christmas this year, there is good news to be shared today. Because of Christ Jesus, the one who came and dwelled among us as a man, lived a sinless life, died to take away the sins of the world, and was raised from the grave to his seat in heaven, we all have hope for what is to come.

The significance of Christmas grows as we acknowledge what truly happened when Christ was born. Going to the Gospel of John, we see that God’s love for the world, for you and me, was so great that he would lay down his own son to break the separation that was between us. Though we rebel at times, and seek after our own desires, Christ came and made a way to the Father again. To be appointed the heir of all things is to say there is nothing out of his reach. When the world seems shaken, when family bonds are broken due to strain and grievances, when money is tight, when sin seems unconquerable, Christ is seated at the right hand of the Father in full control and with full authority. Christ doesn't settle for bandaging the messes of the world, he upholds the universe, the word of his power. How much more can be done in our lives if we would put our trust in him?

It is often said in a family favorite Christmas movie, “Every time a bell rings, an angel gets its wings.” I, to this day, hold in great esteem the idea of angels above. How much power and might the angels must wield to accomplish feats such as in 2nd Kings when the Angel of the Lord would take out an army of 185,000 in a single night by itself. Still, we are reminded in today's scripture that the seat Jesus takes is much superior to the angels, and his name much more excellent than theirs. What a King we serve, that with as much strength, might, and glory he wielded, he would choose to become low and take on a life like ours, then lay down that very life for our sake.

Prayer

Lord, we come into your presence on this Christmas Eve acknowledging that you are our Father who loves us. Help us to be more aware of your constant hand over our lives. Open our eyes to see the things you are doing in our day to day routine, and open our hearts to be receptive to how we can be more shaped to be a people who lead lives that reflect our love for you. Please be close to those who mourn or grieve through this holiday, and continue to help all of us remember that everyday is yours. We thank you for the gift of Christ which is the greatest gift we could have ever received.
We pray all of these things in Jesus name, amen.

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