 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,Merry Christmas! That’s right, Merry Christmas! Now, as you
read this greeting, you may think that I have gone mad. You may also think,
“Christmas is over! Why thank God it is over.” It is such a hectic time! Now,
with it over, maybe my life will return to some normalcy. As a matter of fact I don’t
even want to think, let alone hear, about Christmas till next year.
Believe it or not, I actually share such a sentiment. Yet,
my greeting stands. It must stand! Why? Well, on Sunday, January 6th we celebrate the
Epiphany of our Lord. This is the celebration of the Wise Men’s visit to the Christ
Child in Bethlehem. This event has been called the “Gentile’s Christmas”.
This is because this event reveals that the Babe born in Bethlehem was not only going to
be the Jew’s Savior from sin, but the Gentile’s Savior from sin. Simple put, He
was coming to save all people of all ages, including you and me, from sin, death, and the
devil.
Just think about what this means for you and me. Because
God sent His Son Jesus to save all people, this means that He loves you and me. I know
there are times when we doubt God’s love for us. However, Epiphany assures us of
God’s love for us. Because God sent His Son Jesus to save all people, this means that
as we believe in Jesus as our Savior, all our sins are forgiven. I know there are times
when we doubt that God can forgive us. However, Epiphany assures us that indeed God does
forgive us all our sins. Because God sent His Son Jesus to save all people, this means
that as we believe in Jesus as our Savior, we are heirs of eternal life in heaven. I know
that there are times when we doubt that we will go to heaven. However, Epiphany assures us
that we do possess eternal life in heaven.
Friends, the Epiphany of our Lord assures both you and I
personally of God’s love, mercy, and grace for us. Certainly this was what the Wise
Men learned when they followed that miraculous star to the Christ Child. The result was
that they worshipped Christ, gave Him gifts, and dedicated their lives to Him. How can we
not want to do the same?
So brothers and sisters in Christ, Merry Christmas, for
that Babe born in Bethlehem, God’s Son Jesus Christ, is everyone’s Savior from
sin—even yours and mine!
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