“For God so loved the world, that God gave God’s only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in may not perish, but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

We have made it. It is Christmas morning. Jesus has come. Even as adults, we enjoy the presentation of gifts, the opening of gifts, and the joy of unexpected gifts. But we also enjoy the return of friends and family — all together once again. Perhaps this is the joy G-d experienced when Jesus, the Son, rose from the dead and went back home to Heaven. So, the Christmas story doesn’t end at the cradle, nor did it end at the cross…it ends with Jesus arriving back in the Kingdom of G-d.

Our verse today is probably the most well known in the Bible, and in it we find the brief summary of the entire Bible…all 66 books. Martin Luther called it the “Gospel in Miniature”. G-d sent the Son Jesus, that we might have eternal life. Jesus died so that he can come again to take us with him for the greatest homecoming ever.

This Christmas Day, as you gather with your family and friends, or even if you are alone this Christmas, let us remember what this child born in a manger will go on to do for all believers. And, let’s keep looking ahead to the Son’s return and our homecoming in Heaven.

Pastor Dave

“Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:16-18

The photo I have included for today’s devotion is “our church” — Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, Lemoyne. When you think of your church, what images come to your mind? The first image that came to my mind when I say “my church” is the actual building — but that isn’t really the church. The Church, the Church of Jesus Christ, consists of people, not just flat stone and mortar — the members of our local church is what makes a church a church.

In our verse today, Jesus is speaking to his disciples after asking the question “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answers correctly that Jesus is “the Christ (Messiah/Savior), the Son of the Living God.” I love that Jesus tells Peter that no one revealed that to him, but G-d. No one can be “talked into” becoming a Christian; if we could, then we could also be talked out of it. Faith goes beyond intellect. We are also not automatically born a Christian. G-d reveals “Truth” to us, in Jesus Christ, and then says: “Do not doubt; just believe.” It is dependent upon the Holy Spirit to work upon the believer through the Word and the Sacraments.

But Jesus goes on to say “Upon this rock my church will be built”…upon this truth that Peter confesses. The church of Jesus is built like a building with many stones. Take a look at some buildings today and notice the “stones”. During this first century stones would have been cut by hand with no two exactly the same. Each would be unique and fit together — and sometimes they are set together like a hand in a glove. Just the same, each one of us are individually unique in our personalities, our backgrounds, our life experiences, our spiritual gifting, etc. Yet G-d chooses to connect us together as G-d’s temple – Christ’s church – the body of believers uniquely fit together for the ministry of the Church.

On this Eve of Christmas, remember to “Let your light shine before others in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

Pastor Dave