Dear church family,

 

In 1744, Charles Wesley wrote the words of "Come Thou Long Expected Jesus". The scripture that inspired this song was Haggai 2:7: "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the Lord of hosts." The words of Haggai do not describe Jesus' birth but rather the fulfillment of God's promise to His people and the longings of the human heart that we experience in this broken and dark world. England during Wesley's time was marred by a lack of care for the orphans and divisions between social classes, which really bothered Wesley. This song was written to proclaim to England and to the world that the word has become flesh, and sin and death have been defeated, and to let people know the hope that awaits them in Christ's return so that they might both long for it and also pray for it.

 

The angel told Joseph in Matthew 1, "Do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 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." Jesus has come and offers life to all who will trust Him as Savior and Lord! Romans 10:9 says that if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Do you know Him as Savior and Lord?

 

During Christmas, we give presents to surprise and delight those we love. We enjoy finding that perfect gift and love watching the individual's face as he or she unwraps it. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul thanks God for His indescribable gift. God loves us so much that He gave His one and only Son that we might have life. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord," Romans 6:23.

 

Fear and anxiety take no break during the holidays and can be overwhelming. Everyone reacts differently when stress in life occurs. So how does one cope? How does one get by from one day to the next when challenged by uncertainties and concerns of life? We are told in 1 Peter 5:7 to "cast all of our cares on Him, for He cares for us." Jesus does love and care for you and wants you to "come to Him, all who are labor and are heavy laden, and He will give you rest," Matthew 11:28. In Proverbs 3:5-6 we are called to trust Him with our whole heart, acknowledge Him in all our ways, and He in turn promises to direct our paths. Are you fully trusting Christ today?

 

Jesus is coming again, and until that day, remember Titus 2:12-14 which says that the grace of God "teaches us to say 'no' to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope - the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good." We should live each day with the anticipation and expectancy that Jesus could come at any time. That "blessed hope" becomes a transforming reality in our live, resulting in God being glorified through all that we do and say.

 

Jesus has come, and He is coming again! And He continues to set people free from fear and sin and causes us to find rest in Him as we look for His return. I love each one of you and pray for the Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love of Christ to fill your hearts this Christmas.

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~ Dennis

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Dennis A. Handley

Pastor

Swisshelm Park Primitive Methodist Church