Devotion - December 25, 2014 Hymn of the Week Of the Father’s love begotten Ere the worlds began to be, He is Alpha and Omega, He the source, the ending he, Of the things that are, that have been, And that future years shall see Evermore and evermore. Oh, that birth forever blessed When the virgin, full of grace, By the Holy Ghost conceiving, Bore the Savior of our race, And the babe, the worlds Redeemer, First revealed his sacred face Evermore and evermore. (Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal - 35, verses 1, 2, 4) Christmas is a day of great anticipation. It is a day people wait for every year. They wait for days off of work and school. They wait to open gifts. They wait for special foods. They wait for parties with friends and family. They wait for all kinds of customs and traditions. All these special things add to the joy of Christmas. But all of this activity and busyness can distract us from the real cause for celebration: the Savior has come! Of the Father’s Love Begotten is one of the oldest hymns in most hymnals. God’s people have sung these words in one form or another for over 1,500 years. These words point us to three great gifts from God. Each one is a reason to celebrate. The Savior has come because of God’s love. Why did Jesus come to us? He is begotten of the Father’s love. We do not deserve the gift of a Savior. We do not deserve the gift of God’s love. We do not deserve it because of our sin. That sin deserves only hatred and condemnation from a holy God. But instead, God loves us. In his love, he sent a Savior. The Savior has come through a miracle. Our God has become a man. By a great miracle, a virgin conceived a child by the power the Holy Spirit. He is truly a human being who came to take our place and die for our sin. He is truly the eternal God whose payment for us is perfect and infinite. By the miracle of the virgin birth, the Savior has come. And in this baby in Bethlehem, the world’s Redeemer first revealed his sacred face. He revealed himself to you. Isn’t that the greatest gift of all?! He came for you. His love is for you. His life and death are for you. Because this Savior has come for you, you can anticipate an eternal celebration in heaven with him who is the Alpha and Omega. Prayer: Let the heights of heav’n adore him, Angel hosts his praises sing, Pow’rs, dominions bow before him And extol our God and King. Let no tongue on earth be silent, Ev’ry voice in concert ring Evermore and evermore. Amen.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Dec 2014 13:27:53 +0000