The Precursor
December 2000
Born A Baby
WHEN THE LORD DESCENDED to this earth, when He came to save us, He came quietly and gently, almost unnoticeably, as a tiny little baby. At the time of His birth, hardly anybody here on earth knew He had come. Joseph and Mary knew. The shepherds knew. And the wise men knew. But most people didn't realize at all that God Himself, the Creator and King of the Universe, had been come down to earth by being born as a little baby.
Now why did the Lord come this way? Why did He come by being born as a little baby? It was because He loves us, and because He loves us, He wanted to come very, very close to us. He wanted to come down to earth and be with us, and not only be with us, but live here on earth the way that we live.
Every single person on earth began life here the same way. Each one of us started life by being born as a tiny little baby. We are all different in many ways. But one thing that is the same for all is that we all started our lives as tiny little helpless babies. And one thing that the Lord did by being born, just like us, as a little baby, was show us that He had come to be with all of us. He showed us that no matter where we are in life, whether we are little babies, or children, or adults, He is with us. Because He was born as a baby. He grew up as a child. He entered into adulthood. He has already been where we are. He is with us. And He is not only with us when we feel strong and confident. He is also with us, and perhaps especially with us, when we feel weak, and helpless, just like little babies.
One thing that the Lord did especially by being born as a little baby was show us the power -- the very special power -- of His love. Some think of power as making people do what we want them to do. But that is not the power of the Lord's love. The Lord did not come to earth to make people do things. He came to bring freedom. He came to earth to show people His love, and to invite people to love Him in return.
This is the Lord’s power. And this is the power of the Christmas story. The Lord, the King of the Universe, was born as a tiny baby, seemingly helpless, seemingly without any power at all. But He had tremendous power. Think of the power of the Christmas story. Think of the power it has to move the hearts of men, and women, and children. Think of the power it has to touch us and to draw us closer to Him.
The Christmas story is part of the story of the Lord. It is the story of His love. It is the story of how He came down to earth to be with us, to show us His love, and to invite us into His arms.
Unless otherwise noted, all events are at the church building. Classes for those in high school and for younger children are available upon request.
The Reading Discussion group meets normally twice a month. We are currently reading from the Old and New Testaments during our sessions. There is no advance reading, but please bring a Bible with you.
If you are scheduled for a specific job and are unable to be there, please could you find a substitute, and, if possible, notify the pastor in advance. Thank you.
Note that the Trustees’ meeting for December has been cancelled.
Sat. Dec. 9 Privately sponsored event. Homeopathic Study Group. 10:00am. All welcome.
Christmas Potluck Supper. 6:30pm. Followed by Christmas Class. Home of Max and Jane Blair. No advance reading for the class. Please phone Jane regarding food arrangements.
Sun. Dec. 10 Divine Worship. 11:00am. Usher: Cedric. Sunday School: Shirley. Sunday School Subject: Genesis Chapter 9. Sower Notes "The Rainbow," pages 31-36. Flowers: Helene.
Tues. Dec. 12 Reading Discussion Group. 7:30pm. Bring along a Bible. No advance reading.
Sun. Dec. 24 No morning service. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service. 5pm. Recitation: 37 p. 187. No Sunday School. Usher: Cedric. Flowers: Helene.
A Very Happy Christmas
Dinah and I wish each and every one of you a very Happy Christmas. May the Lord draw close to each and every one of us as we celebrate together the miracle of His birth.
Patrick & Dinah.
