A Very Late Christmas Greeting

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU!

I just want to take a quick break from our day and wish you a very Merry Chistmas. As many of you know, Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

This Christmas season I learned so much about Christian heritage of our traditions and carols. I’d like to share one “ah-ha” with you. Last night at our Christmas Eve service of Lessons & Carols, we sang “O Come, All Ye Faithful”. For the first time I had a fuller understanding of the second verse of this beautiful hymn. Since we studied the church’s creeds this past summer and fall, I now know where these phrases originate. A cool side note: my daughter told me exactly where these phrases came from when I started to share my thoughts this morning at breakfast.

God of God, Light of Light

Lo, He abhors not the Virgin’s womb

Very God, begotten, not created

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore Him,

O come, let us adore him,

Christ the Lord

Until this past summer, I did not realize the importance of our creeds and the Christian heritage they provide for us. The creeds are not greater than the Bible by any means, but they do illuminate and state the church’s beliefs over the centuries. Our Christian forefathers fought heretics during the Nicene Council. The heretic, Arius, did not believe that Jesus was fully God and fully man. Arius also believed that Jesus was created since He is the Son of God. Arius was defeated at the Council of Nicea. From this council, the Nicene Creed was written. I highlighted the parts that were controversial at that time and also included in.

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.

Who, for us men for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins; and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Jesus Christ was born over 2000 years ago and that is why I wish you a MERRRY CHRISTMAS. Jesus is God Almighty, the only one who has conquered death and sin. We all have sinned and we all need Christ’s payment for our sin. If you do not trust in Christ for your sins, please consider the following.

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

…Therefore, as through one man’s offense (Adam) judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so resulting in condemnation, even so through one Man’s righteous act (Jesus) the free gift came to all men, resulting in justification of life.

For as by one man’s disobedience (Adam) many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience (Jesus) many will be made righteous.

Romans 5:1, 8, 18-19

May God bless you and your family this Christmas season!

Blessings,

Kerry Beck