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The Apostle Paul is credited with writing thirteen of the twenty-seven books of the New Testament. Each of the books which he wrote are actually letters to specific churches or individuals with which he had developed close relations through his missionary journeys. These letters contain intimate words of concern for dear friends, painful words of correction to the disobedient, careful words of instruction for the churches, and hopeful words of promise to believers. However, these letters are literally God’s Word to all people throughout the ages, even to us in our own day! One aspect that I have found to be particularly encouraging about each of his letters is that they all begin with a similar form of greeting from Paul in his opening words—“Grace to you” (Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:3; 2 Corinthians 1:2; Galatians 1:3; and so on…). As Paul transcribes the literal words of God to the churches and even to us, he is conveying the truth that God’s message to us is always one of grace. As we read the words of Scripture, we discover God’s desire to draw us closer into relationship with Him and we experience God’s power to walk in obedience before Him.
While the greeting of God’s grace found in His Word to us is remarkable, I find even more incredible the manner in which Paul closes each of his thirteen letters as well. Just as he begins each letter with the very same message, so he ends each letter with the same unique expression—“Grace with you” (Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 16:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 6:18; and so on…)! Paul reminds us that just as God’s Word is His grace to us as we read it, so His grace continues to go with us throughout each day of our lives! What encouragement toward picking up God’s Word each day and ingesting it into our minds and hearts, because it is the expression of God’s grace to us! And what inspiration toward keeping our faith in Christ throughout each day as we remember that God’s grace continues to go with us, even after we have left that quiet moment of devotion with Christ and the busyness of the day has fallen upon us!
Beginning this morning, through Christmas Day, we will be focusing our attention upon four unique passages found within the first two chapters of Luke’s Gospel. These passages contain words regarding the advent of Jesus Christ. They each provide unique expressions of worship from four different perspectives. Remarkably enough, each of these characters expressed their worship in a song. So, we will begin a new sermon series titled “The Songs of Christmas”. This is especially fitting since so much of our celebration of this special time of year involves singing. As we study the songs of Mary (Luke 1:46-55), Zechariah (Luke 1:67-79), the angels (Luke 2:13-14), and Simeon (Luke 2:28-32), it is my prayer that our hearts will be overwhelmed by the joy of Christ’s first coming and expectant in preparation for His soon return.
And as the certain craziness of this holiday season fights to strip the joy of Christ from our hearts, it is my earnest prayer that we will take in God’s grace to us as we gather to hear and study His Word together each week. Yet, as we live each day in the hustle and bustle of Christmas parties, family gatherings, unrealistic expectations, and even the accompanying sadness of the holiday season, may we cling tightly to God’s grace with us!
Jason