STEINBACH, MAN. THE CARILLON n C11
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 2024
www.thecarillon.com n
C hristmas M essages
Impacting civilizations
by Pastor Ben Funk One Eighty Faith Centre, Mitchell S easons come; seasons go. But the season of Christmas is a whole other story. Actu- ally, it is much more than a story. For us, it is a reflection to an event in time and history that has not only meaning but also significance. Meaning, in that there is an invasion into time and into his- tory that caused an interference into a popular narrative that had diffi- culty receiving and accept- ing this intrusion. Meaning, that hu- manity needed re- demption from an infliction that needed
the few or in the few that a Messiah would one day come among them that would bring redemption from the power and influence of sin and evil. This Messiah that would be named Jesus would finally accomplish what Genesis 3 had instructed them in for so many years. There was an enemy that needed to be disempowered (Lucifer, Satan, The Devil) who had inflicted such torment on humanity for so long. This Jesus would teach them about His ways, which would bring hope and joy and celebration.
This joy was heard cel- ebrated by the angels to the shepherds who were watch- ing so faithfully their
flocks one night. Sev- en hun- dred plus years ear- lier the
to be ad- dressed. No one in t h e
human sphe re had the capacity to ad-
prophet M i c a h wr i tes : “He will teach us about His ways so we may walk in His paths.” (4:2) And so Jesus did, He
dress or alleviate from con- tinued in- fliction on humans.
Lead Pastor Ernie and Diane Koop, Evangelical Fellowship Church, Steinbach. The two comings of Jesus
Meaning, in that there was a need to affect a civilization that had need for joy and celebration that the
taught them, (way back in an- tiquity) and He con-
Pastor Ben Funk,
tinues to teach us today about His ways so that we may walk in His paths. Humanity is in dire need today for joy and celebration that the dev- il is robbing humanity of.
common narrative was less than willing to let live and have influence. You see the redeemer was not interested in complying with the narrative, He was
by Lead Pastor Ernie Koop Evangelical Fellowship Church, Steinbach L uke begins his gospel by narrating the events leading up to the coming of the Sav- iour, Jesus Christ, in Bethlehem, over 2,000 years ago. He ends his gospel, in chapter 24, re- counting the events that happened right after his death. Bethlehem was seven miles south of Jerusalem, and Emmaus was seven miles to the west. I think Luke was bookending his story to remind us of the connection between Christ’s birth and resurrection. Every Christmas, as we celebrate the incarnation, Emmanuel, God- with-us, we are also reminded that His first coming is followed by a second coming. There is anticipation! We are reminded that we live in the ‘yes, but not yet’ moments. Christ came to redeem the lost, to inaugurate His kingdom, but it will only be fully realized when he returns. We live in a state of anticipation. The two disciples on the road to Emmaus register their disappointment, their disillusionment (Luke 24:17) because they
‘had hoped… that Jesus was the Messiah…’ But, instead of freeing the Jews from Roman oppression He had died a criminal’s death on the cross, and with His death their hopes and dreams had died as well. This Christmas a ques- tion we need to again answer for ourselves has to do with the object of our hopes. Jesus is the only hope that will not disappoint or fail you! As Eugene Peterson says, “Hope is not about the future; Hope is about the present … It ob- viously has to do with the future, but it’s a vir- tue which is cultivated in the present. It fills the present with energy. It connects the two comings of Jesus, so that we now participate in them. We’re not just remembering the one and believing in the other; we are participating in the continuity of the comings.” This is where hope, like joy, is more than just a feeling; or even an emotional energy; it’s a muscle we exercise, a virtue we develop, a choice we make! “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may over- flow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13)
One Eighty Faith Centre, Mitchell
As we celebrate Christmas, let’s remind our- selves and each other that the joy we celebrate through the gifts and giving has its origin in Jesus the Christ. This Jesus came to earth to become akin with us and show us and teach us His offer for freedom from sin that prior to Him had power over us. Merry Christmas.
interested in relieving humanity of an afflic- tion that had only been covered up to that point in history. Meaning, in that, He will teach humanity a certain significance to life and in life that will introduce a way of life that was all but foreign, and that only to a few. But there was a certain expectation in the few that was going to be satisfied in a hope fulfilled. There was an ex- pectation from
The Word
A Savior has been born to you. He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2:11
by Pastor Jonathan Coutts Vita Bible Church O f all the names given to Jesus in our familiar Christmas texts: Immanuel, Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlast- ing Father, Prince of Peace… Per- haps none sounds as mundane as the title John gives to Him at the opening of his gospel. For John, Je- sus is first of all the Word… “In the beginning was the Word… And the Word became flesh…” (John 1:1, 14). Words in themselves aren’t very exciting. We’d rather have a “Prince” or a “Mighty God” – even the name “Jesus,” with its mean- ing as Savior, packs a punch… But “word”? Come on, John – couldn’t you try a little harder than that? While students of this passage have long wrestled over the full significance of John’s title, even a basic understanding yields some impressive results. First of all, words are the means by which we reveal truth about our ourselves. If I am going to in- troduce myself to you – if I really want you to know me – sooner or later it’s going to be helpful for me to use some words. Words are ve- hicles of revelation – and so it is significant that the central char- acter of John’s gospel, and of our Christmas story, is referred to as the Word. The point? This Person wants to be known… This person is revealing Himself – and specifi- cally, as John will make clear, this Word reveals God Himself to us, for “the Word was God”! Secondly, words – specifically, God’s words – are powerful. When you or I speak, our words may fall
Pastor Jonathan Coutts, Vita Bible Church.
on deaf ears and have little effect. But when God speaks, mountains leap up, rivers run free, we become living souls… God created the worlds by His Word (see John 1:3). So, to refer to Jesus by this title is to say something of the all-power- ful, life-giving difference He would make in the hearts of humankind – in the hearts of all who believe in His Name. So, in this Word, whose coming we celebrate at Christmastime, we are confronted with the One whose purpose it is to show us God the Father – in seeing Jesus, we see the very face of God… And through faith in this Word, we ourselves are powerfully remade, are born from above, are created anew. The next time you are going through your favorite Christmas names, con- sider adding “Word” to that list – because this Word makes a world of difference! May God bless you, and merry Christmas!
MerryChristmas from
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