Earlier this month, a dear friend of mine made the observation, "I can't imagine having to be a preacher this time of year. C'mon, man, you and I both know you're going to read the same stories on the same Sundays and wind up at the same place each year. Tell me, how do you not rip your hair out trying to make this interesting and relevant each year? How do you not see December coming and go, 'O, geez, NOT AGAIN!'?"
I laughed hard at this question because the guy is a very active layperson, committed to his God and his local congregation, and was, in some respect, just calling to mess with me. He has got me thinking, though, a lot harder about this over the past couple of weeks, and I think I've gotten the response.
Let me put the question to you - how do you get excited again and again each year about hearing the same stories over and over?
My answer is simply this: This season is about the continual reminder that, through Christ, God fulfilled his promise. God fulfilled his promise to send the people a savior. God fulfilled his promise to deliver one who would be Emmanuel, God with us. The continual reminder part is important, because unless we keep things at the front of our thinking, we can easily forget.
May we never forget God's grace, peace, and love given to us through the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Prince of Peace. May we never tire of hearing the same ol' story, for it is the one story we cannot ever afford to forget.
So, come and worship, come and worship, come and worship Christ the new-born king.
Erin and I look forward to being with you on Friday night @ 6:00 or 11:00 for our Christmas Eve Candlelight Services, and I look forward to celebrating the Christmas season with you during worship on Sunday morning at 10:00.
See You Soon!
Lamar
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