Who’s your doctor? We don’t take lightly where we would take our family with any health concerns. We need some recommendation from a good friend. Some positive feedback. Some “sign” that this is the right person to go to.

Where would you get your car fixed? Again, same thing. We want some level of confidence in the person repairing our vehicle and billing us fairly for those services.

Who would you follow to guide you in your faith and ultimately to the celestial kingdom of glory with the Lord? People spend a good amount of time . . . . looking for a place to worship, a church that is faithful to the Word and can lead them to God’s grace.

But I mean that question in even bigger terms. Who would you follow and entrust your soul to? More than the church and its leaders, the one who is able to give you the victory over sin, death and the devil.

People were asking that question for many centuries after God promised Adam and Eve that someone would be born to destroy the havoc the devil wreaked on the world by leading the first people into sin. They were waiting to see who would be the Messiah, the “Anointed One.”

Jesus probably didn’t appear to be the one who would shoulder this huge task. He went around in a humble way that hid his true identity and power. Until his baptism. We might ask why Jesus who is God would need to be baptized. It was to show he was the One, the Anointed One, the Messiah, the Savior. Without any doubt.

At his baptism people witnessed the Spirit descending on him like a dove (Mark 4:10). And the voice of the Father from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” (Mark 4:11)

It turns out Jesus is the only one who could be the Messiah. No one else was born as God and man in one person. No one else was perfect. The sacrifice for the sins of the world had to be made by a perfect substitute.

There are many opinions about Jesus out there. God the Spirit, God the Father, confirmed that day that Jesus was the Savior. No one else had that happen in the exact same way on their baptism. God wants to assure you: “My Son Jesus is the one who will save your soul and give your eternal life!”

I read recently about a little girl in Britain who surprised her parents when already before her first birthday she could recognize words and finish her bedtime stories, and then at 15 months could read some books on her own. An amazing talent! I’m sure her parents knew from an early age that she had a very special ability that would probably have quite a bit do with her future.

Even though much of the world knows the name “Jesus” by now, and maybe . . . . at least a few things about his life, for many years there wasn’t a whole lot to say he would be a well-known person. He lived in a small town with his family, and had many of the same experiences as other children.

But there were some signs early on. One of them was the visit of the wise men from the east. Not every child has some very educated officials from another country stop by to give some gifts after following a star to their family home! On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. (Matthew 2:11)

And that’s the season of Epiphany. Jesus making himself known as he really is. Jesus is our Savior and our God. We want to know him! We want to know who Jesus is through the words inspired by God in the Scriptures, especially in the gospels.

Go on this journey with us on Sundays from the River (Jesus’ baptism) to the Mountain (Jesus’ Transfiguration) to be sure of who Jesus really is!

A “partridge in a pear tree,” “two turtle doves,” and all the rest are phrases we generally only hear around Christmas time. They’re part of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” one of the more well-known holiday songs. The song is on the radio and in stores usually in the weeks leading up to the 25th, but really it’s about gifts given after Christmas through the beginning of January. It’s a reminder of different times when the Christmas celebration didn’t end on December 25.

In certain places and periods of the church, . . . . the Twelve Days of Christmas (often December 25-January 5) were very important to people. There was gift-giving, wreath-making, food-preparing, and special Scripture readings and remembrances, among other traditions. In some parts of the world, the Twelve Days of Christmas are still a big thing.

We have freedom to celebrate Christmas as we choose, guided by the principles of God’s Word. But there’s something to be said for finding ways to keep God’s birth in the world in front of us as December 25 fades further in the rearview mirror, and we “move on” to other events.

The “Christmas spirit” of giving goes on – for us, motivated by Jesus’ love for us. Our Savior is our Savior year-round. We live with the peace and joy of Jesus at all times.

The words of the angels are for each and every day:

 I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (Luke 2:10)

… a Savior has been born to you (Luke 2:11)

… on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests (Luke 2:14)

May the peace of Jesus fill you up throughout the coming year!

If you have children, would you like them to follow in your footsteps? If you are children, would you like to follow in those footsteps of your parents who went before you?

It’s not always the case that children are like mom and dad, but it often happens. They show the same interest in music. They have a similar athletic ability. They like to help others. They continue on in the family business.

Nothing’s guaranteed in the next generation. Apparently, the average life-span of a family-run business is around . . . . 24 years, and only 3% of them make it to the fourth generation. Certainly four generations is impressive! But it’s not a sure thing, and even then it’s not going to last forever.

King David has some of that concern. He wants a son of his to take his place on the throne. He is the first in a new dynasty. He came out of nowhere from the fields watching over sheep. He doesn’t want that position to be lost in his family. God assures him that the kingdom will continue in his family.

What if you had a special promise from God that your child would be president? Or your granddaughter would someday be the first to live on Mars? The promise to David is even greater!

12 When your days are over and you rest with your ancestors, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. (2 Samuel 7:8-16)

Not just his son Solomon who would be king after him. Also a descendant further down the line who would do the impossible (for humans, at least) and set up a kingdom that will never end.

Israel as a nation with a king doesn’t really have a big impact on us as believers in the New Testament. That earthly kingdom had its role and its time. Israel lost it land and its temple not too long after the time of the apostles. But not before David’s greatest descendant was born, Jesus Christ. His kingdom is for us and for all who believe in him as their Savior.

The God who gave the promise of an eternal Savior to David’s family also gives the promise of an eternal Savior to your family. You don’t know what all will happen as the generations go by. But as faith in Jesus remains in your family line, you know where they will be. Established in his kingdom forever.

As for me, I will always have hope;
    I will praise you more and more. (Psalm 71:14)

Those words from Psalm 71 are a wonderful way to live. Always hope. Always more praise. They’ll never run out. There will be more and more and more.

People might look at the Christian life and think that the smiling faces are a little “fake.” In faith in Christ there’s nothing “fake” . . . . about our way of looking at life. The Psalmist has his feet fully planted on the ground in the reality of life – for the believer as well. 

Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter,
    you will restore my life again. (v.20)

And it’s more than just words. As I visit some of our church members in the hospital or who are going through various health challenges, I hear that hope and joy. “It’s all in the Lord’s hands.” “Whatever happens, it will be great.” “There’s blessing here, and blessing in heaven with my God.”

The Psalmist also gives us a way to keep sadness and complaining at a distance. By telling of all the gracious acts of God to us and others, they take first place in our minds and hearts. Just saying them is a great reminder of all the Lord has done.

 My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds,
    of your saving acts all day long—
    though I know not how to relate them all. (v.15)

You and I have been called to a life of joy in Christ, who is our eternal Savior and constant presence at our side. You can shout it. Go ahead!

 My lips will shout for joy (v.23)

“A watched pot never boils.” “Time flies.”

Both are true in their way. Time is just math. Seconds adding up to minutes adding up to hours adding up to days, months and years. But the way it appears to us can change and seem faster or slower.

God has a view of time like no other. He sees time from the perspective of being eternal. Always existing from way before the creation of the world to . . . . forever in the future. So a day, a thousand years – they’re not really that different from where he stands!

8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:8-9)

Sometimes people quote this in reference to the days of creation, but God’s not asking us to change the days of creation into anything other than days. The Scriptures are clear that they were six normal 24-hour days. In 2 Peter God is talking about our waiting for Jesus. Will it be a day before Jesus returns? Will it be a thousand years? It really isn’t a big difference for God. It could be either. But the time will happen when he decides.

And so, we don’t take God’s “slowness” (from our point of view) to mean he’s not out there or won’t come back. Instead, we know that however long God takes, it’s a great time period to live in repentance. A humble heart worked by the Spirit that looks to Christ as our Savior.

In Advent we wait and count down the days. The Lord gifts us this time because he is patient with us, and wants us to come to repentance and true life in Jesus.

Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you might know or be able to picture the scene where Leonardo DiCaprio shouts from the bow of the Titanic: “I’m the King of the World!” It’s become one of the “iconic” scenes in film history. In a slightly different version of the same thing, over 4000 years some kings in the ancient Mesopotamian civilizations would give themselves the title of “King of the Universe.” “It’s good to be king!” people say, for human and mostly self-centered reasons. It’s good for them. It may not be so good for others.

Our King Jesus comes to us in many different ways. But he’s so different from other kings we’ve heard about that we need to reflect on who he is and how to receive him. 

Take a moment to click on the video intro above to our four-week series in December, “The King Shall Come,” and join us for Sunday worship to our great and gracious King!

Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, “Hosanna!” 
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9)