"God['s]...own purpose...has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel...." (From 2 Timothy 1:8-10)
A great "Christmas Story" here. The Living Triune God revealed His purpose to the Universe, the Earth, and humanity, "by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ." And by His, "appearing," in His Blood, death on the Cross, and resurrection, Jesus, "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light," and, to you and me.
The word, "appearing," is most descriptive in speaking of the Christmas Story because, "the appearing," is what took place on that "cold winter's night that was so deep." Jesus appeared; He was not born as you and I were born. Yes, he was "born of a virgin" and as a baby. But Christ's birth was not His beginning as was ours; it was an, "appearing." A second week of Advent reading is from Micah 5:2, which refers to the Coming One as, "from days of eternity." There was never a time when Jesus was not. One could say, He is the "Appearing One." Rejoice--------------- another, "appearing," is coming.
The Greek word translated in our text for, "appearing," is the word from which we get the English word "Epiphany." It is used in Church History to speak of the appearing of Jesus to the "wise men." But in reality, Christ's birth was a universal "Epiphany," an, "appearing," a revelation. Christmas is the, "appearing," of, "Immanuel, God with us." Do we really understand, appreciate, and celebrate this Reality during Christmas? This should be central to worship, preaching and teaching, and just life in general for those who claim to be Followers of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is, "from days of eternity," but Father, He, and the Holy Spirit chose to make a revelation of the Godhead to time bound humanity in a time-space world. And, my dear Fellow Lover of Jesus, a day is coming when the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled, Jesus standing before the Father, saying, "Here I am and the children whom [You have] given Me."
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth."
Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for the "worth" found in , "the appearing." Amen.
*********************************
News, Commentary: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
A great "Christmas Story" here. The Living Triune God revealed His purpose to the Universe, the Earth, and humanity, "by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ." And by His, "appearing," in His Blood, death on the Cross, and resurrection, Jesus, "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light," and, to you and me.
The word, "appearing," is most descriptive in speaking of the Christmas Story because, "the appearing," is what took place on that "cold winter's night that was so deep." Jesus appeared; He was not born as you and I were born. Yes, he was "born of a virgin" and as a baby. But Christ's birth was not His beginning as was ours; it was an, "appearing." A second week of Advent reading is from Micah 5:2, which refers to the Coming One as, "from days of eternity." There was never a time when Jesus was not. One could say, He is the "Appearing One." Rejoice--------------- another, "appearing," is coming.
The Greek word translated in our text for, "appearing," is the word from which we get the English word "Epiphany." It is used in Church History to speak of the appearing of Jesus to the "wise men." But in reality, Christ's birth was a universal "Epiphany," an, "appearing," a revelation. Christmas is the, "appearing," of, "Immanuel, God with us." Do we really understand, appreciate, and celebrate this Reality during Christmas? This should be central to worship, preaching and teaching, and just life in general for those who claim to be Followers of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is, "from days of eternity," but Father, He, and the Holy Spirit chose to make a revelation of the Godhead to time bound humanity in a time-space world. And, my dear Fellow Lover of Jesus, a day is coming when the prophecy of Isaiah will be fulfilled, Jesus standing before the Father, saying, "Here I am and the children whom [You have] given Me."
"Long lay the world in sin and error pining
Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth."
Father, in Jesus' Name, Thank You for the "worth" found in , "the appearing." Amen.
*********************************
News, Commentary: www.apf327.blogspot.com
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
"Looking unto Jesus"
Hebrews 12:2
