God Became Man; Christmas Eve - December 24, 2019 by Jesus the Good Shepherd Anglican Church

St. Matthew's Gospel sets the scene for the birth of Christ by reminding us of the genealolgy of Abrham and David, which includes women who boldly clove to God. We too are called to boldly cleave to Him by remembering that He is Emmanuel, God with us (Isaiah 7). His Grace provides all that we need to respond to His faith with obedience (Romans 1).

Jesus calls us to reject the games of children and to perform deeds in harmony with God and His prophets (Matthew 11). St. James teaches us how to prepared our hearts to receive God's melody, by repenting and praying in the patience of a farmer (James 5). Isaiah rejoices that hearts prepared for grace will blossom like the crocus (Isaiah 35).

Isaiah (chapter 11) tells us that hope is found in the Messiah from the root of Jesse. St. Paul (Romans 9) tells us what that hope is for, and St. John the Baptist (Matthew 3) tells us that we can attain hope through baptism.

The Advent of Christ is prophesied by the Prophet Isaiah (chapter 2) and expounded by St. Paul in his letter to the Romans. Christ Himself reveals how we should prepare for His Second Advent 9 (Matthew 24).

We are the firstfruits of His Salvation! Happy Thanksgiving!

We ended our months-long tour of St. Luke's Gospel with Jesus on the Cross in chapter 23. He has established His kingdom as Prophet, Priest and King and His Kingdom was prophesied by Jeremiah (23), among others. St. Paul teaches us how we will be qualified, transferred and delivered from the kingdom of this world to that of eternity in paradise.

Jesus teaches us how to practice endurance and calm in the face of the death (Luke 21). Malachi (3,4) and St. Paul (2 Thesallonians 3) compare the arrogant and idle to the righteous who fear and serve God.

Christianity is a paradox and so are all of its major tenets, such as defeating death by death and saving one's life by losing it. Jesus explains that marriage does not belong in the Resurrection because there is no death in eternal life (Luke 20). Job knew the truth of the resurrection by explaining, my redeemer lives (Job 19). St. Paul explains how we too can participate in God's tradition of good works through faith, participating in the life of Christ (2 Thessalonians).

There is one church, in this age and in the age to come (Ephesians 1). Her members have become white in the blood of the lamb through their own sufferings in the tribulation, which is what we call the sufferings and persecutions of the current age (Revelations 7). We too can become members of that faithful body if we would only love our enemies (Luke 6).