My New Year's Prayer - "Come, Lord Jesus!"

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,



One of my very favorite pieces of choral Music is the anthem, "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come" written by Dr. Paul Manz, and his wife Ruth.  I first sang this anthem while part of the choir at Concordia Lutheran College in Austin, Texas, as a freshman in the 1971-1972 school year.  However, I have also sung this anthem with choirs at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, in each of the three congregations where I have served as pastor, and also in the joint choir for the Community Advent Service in Palmer, AK.  So many sing this anthem because the tune is hauntingly beautiful, and because the thoughts and the prayer of this piece of music are always timely.  “Come, Lord Jesus.”



Actually, when I later learned about the situation behind the writing of this beautiful hymn and prayer, the story brought tears to my eyes; this composition became even more one of my all-time favorite anthems.  So, I looked on the internet and found a story written by Pastor Larry Peters of Grace Lutheran Church in Clarksville, TN, who, during the second year of his ministry, heard Paul Manz himself lead a performance of this piece.  Pastor Peters writes, “According to Manz, the piece was written in 1953 when his 3 year old son John was desperately ill in the hospital. Little hope was given to the parents. Paul's wife, Ruth, had worked the words together from Revelation 22 and gave it to Paul to do something with... And so he did. After John had recovered, the sketch was revisited and Paul published it, dedicating the piece ‘To John and all who prayed for him.’"



The deep prayer of this beautiful piece of music came to mind as I have been reading during my daily devotions in the “Song of Solomon.”  This poem about the love between a husband and wife is included in Scripture, not only as a picture of God’s plan for the intimate relationship between a husband and wife, but also because this book depicts the deep love of our Savior, Jesus, for His bride, the Church.  As the husband in this book longs for his wife, our Lord Jesus, loves us.  Christ loves His Church, loves each of us, with an unfathomable, sacrficial love.  The writer of the devotions for my Bible points out how often the bride of this book of Scripture calls for her husband to “come.”  Because of our Lord’s deep love for us, God’s church longs for Jesus to come.



In fact, that is the prayer spoken by the Apostle John on behalf of the church at the end of Scriptures in Revelation 22.  “17 The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. . .  20 He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’ Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.  21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God's people. Amen.  (Revelation 22:17, 20-21)



We have left the calendar year of 2019 behind and have now entered a New Year.  What are you hoping for in 2020?  It is common for many to make resolutions.  People traditionally make promises to themselves hoping for a better future.  Have you made such resolutions?  For a number of years I have resolved the same 3 promises to myself to care for myself spiritually, physically, and in my family.  But first, before I make promises about what I want to do, I have a prayer asking God’s help.  “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”



Yes, the day when Jesus comes again as Judge and Savior at the end of this world to take His people home will be a glorious day of deliverance.  Life in heaven for those who believe in Jesus will deliver us from the sin, the pain, and the death of this world, and be a time of great joy!



But, as we pray “Thy Kingdom Come” in The Lord’s Prayer, my prayer is that Jesus will indeed come to us today.  I pray Jesus comes to my family and loved ones, helping them to know His love and to help them to trust Him through good times and bad.



I pray that Jesus comes to Christ’s body, The Christian Church.  I pray Jesus’ coming brings faithful pastors and leaders to His Church, leaders who teach what Scripture says. I pray that Jesus comes and His people are full of zeal so that they seek to live the life to which Jesus calls us.  I pray that I may live faithfully as a child of God.



I pray that Jesus comes to the governments and leaders of our world bringing wisdom, justice, righteousness, and peace to the nations and communities of the world.



I pray that Jesus comes for all who are ill, all who are grieving, and all who are troubled, and that Jesus brings the peace of His saving Love.



Yes, I have plans for how I will live in the coming year.  But, before I make resolutions for how I hope to act, I first have a prayer for God’s help.  I pray as John writes in the book of Revelation, “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”  Or, as Paul and Ruth Manz wrote in their time of desperation, "E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come"



What are your resolutions for 2020?  Perhaps more importantly, what are your prayers for the coming year?  Are you praying for Jesus to come to you?



A Child of God, Praying for Jesus to Come in Our World and in our Lives,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here is a YouTube Recording of the Paul Manz anthem, “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come”, sung by the Choir of St. John, Cambridge.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdWN5DQ77Wk



P.P.S.  Here are some pictures from our Rockey Family Christmas 12-28-2019.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/S3UVEepkLrpbia4X7



P.P.P.S.  Here are Ice-Fishing pictures

·       Fishing with Gaelen, Jake, and Paul - 2 church members and the son of a workmate of Kathy.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/dQ8esxLMUbzUVzy19

·       Fishing with son, Josh, and grandchildren Henry, Anna, Jackson, and Kendall, after church on 12-29-2019:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/5qysRprtGn1ipy7H8

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

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Rejoicing in the First and GREATEST Christmas Gift Ever

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,



We were late in putting up Christmas decorations in our home this year because of travels.  But, on Saturday, December 21, some of our “Rockey clan” went to the “Moose Range” for our annual family tradition of cutting a Christmas tree for our home.  We had never harvested our own tree in Florida.  But, in 1991, our first winter in Alaska, we cut our own tree and it has been a family tradition ever since.  Then the following Monday, before a second family Christmas cookie baking party, Kathy and I put up Christmas decorations.  We put out manger scenes (I counted 17 of them when Kaycee Nufer was visiting.)  We also decorated our Christmas tree.



Another of our Rockey family Christmas traditions is that I have given Kathy a dated Christmas ornament every year since we were married.  Most of these ornaments have scenes on them from the Christmas story – more manger scenes.  As we were decorating this year’s tree I looked at the ornaments and saw some we bought our first Christmas we were married in 1977.  I also noticed ornaments from 1980, from 1981, and from 1982.  You can imagine that after 42 years that’s a lot of ornaments!  Each ornament carries it’s own story.  We purchased this year’s dated ornaments in Germany.



Those ornaments from the 1980’s remind us of, among other things, the birth of our first two children, Josh and Andy.  Kathy was 8 months pregnant at Christmas in 1980 when that year’s dated ornament was first placed on our tree.  Christmas 1981 was Josh’s first Christmas.  And, in 1982 Kathy was 8 ½ months pregnant with Andy.  Putting up these ornaments reminds us of earlier Christmas blessings and joys.



So, I was on a ladder and Kathy had her hands full as she approached the tree with a number of these memories of Christmas past.  Unfortunately, I then heard a crash and, “Oh no!”  Kathy dropped the ornament from 1982.  It was partially made of glass, the bottom of which shattered.  She commented with resignation, “Oh well, the ornament is broken, but we’re still here!”  However, even though it was broken you could still see the message of the ornament.  It held it’s shape.  So, we still hung what was left of the ornament on our tree.  After all, 1982 was a good year.  (Sigh!)



The truth is each of us is like that ornament.  We are all broken.  God made us beautiful, individuals created with love and purpose.  But, in our rebellious hearts, in our selfish nature, we have broken the beautiful people God made us to be.  Have you ever hurt another person in a moment of angry words?  Have you ever hurt yourself by giving in to sinful passions?  Have you ever doubted God’s love and missed fulfilling the purpose God has for your life?  Unfortunately it is true; we are all broken. 



So, listen to the words of the angel who appeared to Joseph in a dream and helped this righteous man grasp what God was doing that first Christmas.  “18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. 20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.’"  (Matthew 1:18-21)



That ornament from 1982 will never be the same again.  The broken pieces of glass are in the bottom of our trash can.  But, God sent His son, Jesus, to save His broken children from their sins.  Even though we have broken God’s beloved creation, He still loves us and sent Jesus to forgive us in this life, and to give us eternal life in heaven, totally renewed as His children.  As the angel told Joseph about our greatest Christmas gift, “he will save his people from their sins."  (Matthew 1:21)



We tell each other “Merry Christmas,” but life is not always merry.  Yet, into our world of sin, of pain, of suffering, of death, our Heavenly Father sent His Son.  Jesus came to share our suffering, to take our punishment , ultimately to die and to rise again.    Jesus came to “save his people from their sins."  May the love of God’s ultimate gift bring peace and joy into the struggles of your life.  We may be broken people in a broken world.  But God sent Jesus!



A Child of God, Rejoicing in the First and GREATEST Christmas Gift Ever,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are some pictures from our Rockey Family Christmas traditions and observance.

·       Rockey Family Christmas Tree Outing - https://photos.app.goo.gl/Q7rVAodWJVTMuV6J9

·       One of many days of Christmas cookie baking - https://photos.app.goo.gl/KgnYKHYExAvwSGXQ6

·       Rockey Christmas Home decorations.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/zNRrGoibgnMc8oyx9

·       Some of our family at Christmas Eve worship at St. John - https://photos.app.goo.gl/vbQH327p4mRiWyWc6

P.P.S.  I did get out fishing on December 20.  Here are a couple of pictures.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/6LedsBN9Zr2rERgK8

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

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Touched by the Gift of God's Son, and ESPECIALLY by the Sharing of this Gift of Love with Others!

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,



Christmas is upon us.   All the parties and gift giving, all the card sending and receiving, the ornaments and the TV specials, can be overwhelming.  This overwhelming nature of Christmas celebration also often distracts from the reason we celebrate.  Even the extra worship services which point us to the real joy of Christmas, can add to our overloaded schedule.  But, into our overwhelming and troubled world, in a miraculous and wondrous way, God sent His Son.  We were hopelessly lost in a world of death because of our sin.  The examples of loss, of tragedy, of evil and suffering are all around us.  But, “2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. . . 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  ”  (Isaiah 9:2, 6)

We were hopelessly lost in a world of death because of our sin.  But, “10 . . . the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  12 This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." (Luke 2:10-12)  The meaning of Christmas, the peace and the joy of this celebration, is found in God’s gift to us of His Son. 

There are ways in which we can say that Jesus had “unusual parentage. There are ways in which we can say that Jesus was “homeless in Bethlehem.”  But through the love and power of God we received what we need more than anything.  In the birth of Jesus we receive the forgiveness and love which gives eternal life.  The meaning of Christmas is found in God’s gift to us of His Son.  The peace and joy of Christmas often grows through giving this gift of God’s love to others.

Today I want to share with you a “different” Christmas story, where a child of “different parentage”, who might have been “homeless”, receives love and a home through a family living and rejoicing in the love of God found in Jesus.  St. John member, Dave Neslund, wrote this post on his Facebook page last week.  (Dave was on a TV show about families in Sweden last year.  That is his reference to this TV show.) Please read with me.



“Hi everyone...this is @DavidNeslundAlltForSverige from season 8  :-) I have an amazing story to share with you. If you ever needed a ray of hope, this is a story you may want to read. After season 8 was completed, I was flying home meditating on all that I observed during my time in Sweden ...one thing that kept jumping to the forefront of my mind was how many children were left without parents and were brought into loving homes when none could be found. These thoughts became shuffled into the back of my mind as I landed in Alaska on Fathers Day and embraced my family.



Days later, we were attending a Church Family camp and all the campfire talks were all about Allt for Sverige  (The Swedish TV show) and what this experience is…We decided to go home that night, and as we were leaving we noticed that our good friends were holding a swaddled baby. We didn't know anyone who was expecting, so out of curiosity we pulled over to find out who this baby belonged to. Before we could say anything, our friends handed Kristine a very tiny, very new baby girl and simply said, "this baby needs a home". We were utterly shaken and thrown off balance by this statement--- Who is this child?? This is when we first met Araya Hope.


We soon found out that she had been placed in emergency foster care with the piano player of our church, and she could only care for her for a few days while the State found a long term foster family….she had been born 5 weeks early and only weighed 4 pounds 10 oz...she was so tiny, so precious, and our hearts melted. BUT we were unsure if we were up to this task. We stayed up late talking about "all of this", Kristine and I had already started signing up to be foster parents a few years earlier, but Bjorn came into our lives (he was born at 23 weeks and 1 day) and fostering was no longer in our line of sight - until we met her. We made a phone call, setting the ball in motion.  They visited our home, approved our application, and Araya came to live with us when she was only 11 days old.



It didn't take long for Kristine, myself, Leif and Bjorn to completely fall in love with this tiny, fragile human. Leif, being the big brother of a micro-preemie, already knew all the safety routines and was an instant protector.  When your children come to you, the time is perfect - all you need is “a ray of hope.”



After 18 months of caring, waiting, loving, and hoping.... Wednesday morning (December 4) at 10:15am we officially became a family of 5...the veil has been lifted and we can now share her story. she is officially the newest member of the Neslund family - Nikolina Elaine Araya Hope Neslund.



It's hard to summarize the emotional effort that has gone into this past 18 months, but I can tell you this: family comes in every shape and size imaginable - none are perfect, but if you have love in your heart wonderful things happen.



Faith. Hope. Love. These are the three words that define our Children. LOVE, brought us Lief
FAITH, brought Bjorn through his infancy, and HOPE brought Nikolina home.



Love and peace to you all. Have an amazing Christmas holiday!”



Thank you, Dave and Kristine, that you not only have received God’s love in the gift of His Son, Jesus, into your lives.  Thank you for helping us to receive God’s gift of love by showing us one way to share God’s gift of love to us. 



So, . . . how are YOU sharing God’s gift of love in Jesus this Christmas?



A Child of God, Touched by the Gift of God’s Son, and Especially by the Sharing of God’s Love,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Here are some pictures from Dave’s Facebook post. https://photos.app.goo.gl/xwXPq9Pmm94h5Vqt9

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

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Seeking to Share with Others The Difference Jesus Makes in our Lives Today

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,



We have finally arrived HOME after a long period of traveling.  Since the end of August Kathy and I have been in numerous parts of Alaska.  We have flown to Florida, and driven to St. Louis.  We have vacationed in Austria and Germany, and visited Christmas markets and historic sites.  We have talked with people in different languages and dialects.  Do you know what?  People around the world share many of the same problems and troubles!



We heard about troubles and about hopes in Juneau, and in Vienna.  We actually ran into a protest in Salzburg concerning climate change, and on our last day of our European tour, we encountered a protest in Berlin over governmental housing policies.  We saw people suffering, and celebrating in St. Louis in October, and in Munich in December.  (We left a doggy bag with a man we had seen on the streets of Munich.)  We saw people worshiping the Lord, and we saw examples of depravity all over.  The poster we saw in Wittenberg about an erotic Martin Luther movie just caused me to shake my head in dis-belief.  But, we also read online about murder trials at home in Palmer and Wasilla, Alaska.



In other words, a person cannot travel long miles to get away from the troubles of life.  The troubles and pain of life follow us all.  The reason is that we bring troubles on ourselves.  Everyone has turned at times from our Creator and our Lord.  We suffer from rebellious hearts and selfish personalities.  We have all sinned.  That sin is wherever we are, and wherever people are.



The bottom line is that everyone, each one of us needs a Savior from our sin!!!  We cannot save ourselves.  Thankfully, God has sent His Son, Jesus, to save us from our sin, and also to help us with His love and grace in the midst of the pain and problems of this world.

In preparation for our recent trip I read a lot of what Martin Luther wrote and said about Christmas.  Martin Luther wrote quite a bit concerning God’s messages from the first chapter of John.  John 1:1-4 relates one version of God’s message about Jesus coming into our world as Savior.  “1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

While in Leipzig, in one of our daily devotions on our trip in Germany, we read these words from Martin Luther about how Jesus came as the Light of the World.  “

“Doubt nothing.  To me there is no greater consolation given to mankind than this, that Christ became man, a child, a babe, playing in the lap and at the breasts of his most gracious mother.  Who is there whom this sight would not comfort?  Now is overcome the power of sin, death, hell, conscience, and guilt, if you come to this gurgling Babe and believe that he is come, not to judge you, but to save.”  A Christmas sermon (“For All the Saints”)

Jesus came to a sinful world as our Light, as our Savior.  God’s people can also bring this light into a world needing a Savior.  Our call as Christians, as Children of God, is that we not only receive Jesus as light in our lives, but that we share that light of God’s Son with others.  So, while our group was in Germany, we sought to share that light.  We listened to God’s Word and we prayed for others.  We prayed for Dave and Kristine Neslund as their adoption went through for Araya Hope.  (Perhaps more on that next week.)  We prayed for those who are ill or injured, including John Glaser, Megan Odland Nystrom, Janet Kincaid, my brother David, and others.  We asked for the love and mercy and power of Jesus to bring light into these lives.  We also prayed for our world and its problems.



What a blessing that into a dark world of sin, of trouble, and pain, God sends His Son, Jesus.  If you celebrate the gift of the Christ Child this year, how are YOU sharing that gift?



A Child of God, Seeking to Share with Others the Difference Jesus Makes in our Lives,

Pastor Jonathan



P.S.  Many of you have followed our trip and asked questions.  So, here are some more pictures.  Since I last wrote we have visited many more places.  So, here are pictures of:

·       Eisenach, including

o   Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/dDp8dnrCWdybVm3BA

o   The Bachhaus – near the birthplace of J.S. Bach, a museum of his work and life, and https://photos.app.goo.gl/yu5pp2Div8ffqGr77

o   A city tour. https://photos.app.goo.gl/bgoMGneD26bu1ZBo9

·       Erfurt – Where Luther went to seminary.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/n96y4RH53zc1H7ff6

·       Leipzig – Where Bach was cantor at St. Thomas Church and where Luther engaged in the “Leipzig Debates https://photos.app.goo.gl/fTfgD6ZLgqmjPiv47

·       Wittenburg – Where Luther lived and taught, and where he nailed the 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church, and https://photos.app.goo.gl/YKqRf7mDmPxNYqVZ6

·       Berlin, a city of 3 ½ million people with MUCH important modern history.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/DxHyi1a8hqez3qA87

P.P.S. In case you did not get a chance to look at them, here are pictures previously sent.

·       Vienna - https://photos.app.goo.gl/yhyUmWwBZVTCruL57

·       Salzburg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/q8ATuLhA7NrX1hhW9

·       Munich - https://photos.app.goo.gl/ao6RmmsmKqxXFn3d7

·       Nurnberg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/y9MjoTzbiTmDELGZ9

·       Rothenburg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/S9VcHQdmvrEswYeAA

·       A typical hotel breakfast – Rothenburg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/pjwUrsnK3G8zTt2f7

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

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Seeking the Christ Child in Christmas

Dear Friends and Fellow Children of God,

 

As Kathy and I, and our group, are traveling through Austria and Germany, we somehow hit on a topic that reminded our daughter, Mary, of a story.  It’s a story she can tell about her dad – that’s me.  I think those might be Mary’s favorite kind of stories.  J

 

Mary told Kaycee Nufer, “So, every year my dad goes into Hallmark to buy an ornament for my mom.  He looks and looks for something really about the Christmas story, the birth of Jesus.  Those ornaments are hard to find.  So, he finally chooses an ornament and he then tells, or lectures, the salesperson behind the counter that, ‘It is Christmas time, and Hallmark needs more ornaments that are really about Christmas.’”  Hmmm.  There may be a little embellishment, but for the most part that is a true story.

 

I think the reason Mary told that story is that our tour is visiting Christmas markets around Europe.  There probably are actually more ornaments and decorations here that are about the real Christmas story.  There is much in these markets which is actually about the birth of God’s Son, Jesus.  But, there are also plenty of ornaments about Santa, and winter, and skating.  There are lots of traditional cookies, and candies, and drinks.  Christmas trees are beautifully placed everywhere.  There are lights and stars.  In other words, even though a person might be able to find Jesus in the commercial activities in Austria and Germany more easily than in America, there are still perhaps a majority of products in the Christmas markets that aren’t necessarily about Jesus and His birth. 

 

Our tour of Christmas markets is intended to help us focus our hearts on Jesus as we observe Advent and celebrate Christmas in our own lives this year.  We are spending time in daily devotions.  We have asked ourselves the question, “How can we see through all the distractions to really focus on Jesus, the real reason for Christmas?”

 

In our devotions we have also been reading and listening to what Martin Luther preached and said about Christmas.  When preaching on Luke 2 these are some of Luther’s words:

“First, behold how very ordinary and common things are to us that transpire on earth, and yet how high they are regarded in heaven. . . The evangelist shows how, when they [Mary and Joseph] arrived at Bethlehem, they were the most insignificant and despised, so that they had to make way for others until they were obliged to take refuge in a stable, to share with the cattle, lodging, table, bedchamber and bed, while many a wicked man sat at the head in the hotels and was honored as lord.  No one noticed, or was conscious of what God was doing in that stable.  He lets the large houses and costly apartments remain empty, lets their inhabitants eat and drink, and be merry; but this comfort and treasure are hidden from them.  O what a dark night this was for Bethlehem, that was not conscious of that glorious light!  See how God shows that he utterly disregards what the world is, has, or desires; and furthermore that the world shows how little it knows or notices what God is, has, and does. . . . What had Bethlehem when it did not have Christ?  What have they now who at that time had enough?  What do Joseph and Mary lack now, although at that time they had no room to sleep comfortably? . . .”

(Sermons for Advent and Christmas, Martin Luther, pages 93, 94, 96, Italics added by me.)

Did you hear that?  In other words, a person can have all the trappings of Christmas, but miss the real treasure – Jesus.  But, if a person has Jesus, that person already has everything they need.

 

I like the way St. Paul talks about the meaning of Christmas, how Paul explains God’s Son, Jesus, becoming a man to save us.  “4 But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, 5 to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. 6 Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir.”  (Galatians 4:4-7)  God sent His only begotten Son, so that we might also live as Children of God.  We are not just children by God’s giving of life to us through creation.  We are God’s eternal children because, by faith, we have Jesus in our hearts.

 

How will your Christmas observance and celebration this year cut through all the distractions and receive the real, eternal, gift of life in the Son of God?

 

A Child of God, Seeking the Christ Child in Christmas,

Pastor Jonathan

 

P.S.  Kathy and I are on a trip to Christmas markets in Germany and Austria with our daughter, Mary, and the Nufers and the Summers.  Here is a LARGE collection of pictures from our trip.  https://photos.app.goo.gl/QNwzybg7ckYkDRHm9

            However, here are the pictures divided by place and date.

·       Vienna - https://photos.app.goo.gl/yhyUmWwBZVTCruL57

·       Salzburg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/q8ATuLhA7NrX1hhW9

·       Munich - https://photos.app.goo.gl/ao6RmmsmKqxXFn3d7

·       Nurberg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/y9MjoTzbiTmDELGZ9

·       A typical hotel breakfast – Rothenburg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/pjwUrsnK3G8zTt2f7

·       Rothenburg - https://photos.app.goo.gl/S9VcHQdmvrEswYeAA

 

 

 

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ABOUT THIS DEVOTION – I am now retired as senior pastor of St. John Lutheran in Palmer, AK.  This devotion was previously titled, “Thoughts from the Pastor.”  However, with life’s changes I will now call it, “Journeys Through Life as a Child of God.”  I am only sending this message to those who have asked to receive it.  If you know someone else who desires to receive this message have them e-mail me at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.  You can also view this message on my Facebook page.

 

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