Wednesday, December 22, 2010

“He comes to make His blessings known far as the curse is found”

Those words from Isaac Watts classic carol, “Joy to the World”, point to a powerful truth that Jesus’ birth inaugurated: the overturning of the curse! What curse? The curse that Adam’s sin brought to humanity and all creation. When Adam fell into sin, all his progeny fell as well. And what’s more, all of creation fell and now groans awaiting it’s redemption.

But with the birth of Jesus all that began to change. Truly, ((to steal a phrase from C.S. Lewis) time itself began to work backwards!

I got some great insights into this last Sunday when I was handed a card with some thoughts of “Undoing the curse”. I thought they were so thoughtful that I would share them with you all! Here they are:

David’s census brings a curse to his lineage (1 Samuel 24); Caesar’s census brings Jesus into the city of David to undo the curse of David!

David’s reign ends with a census; Jesus’ reign begins with love!

The shepherds are the “church”, receivers of the “evangel”, testifiers against Caesar and the power of the world. God’s legion appears to announce Jesus’ coming, the toppling of Rome!

There is so much going on on that “Silent Night”, I’m sure you could add to those insights. But please do, find a quiet place to treasure these things up in your heart. And have a very Merry Christmas.

The well wisher of your soul’s happiness,

Pastor Tom

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