December 23, 2020
Christmas 2020
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.”(Isaiah 9:6-7
This Christmas we are once again privileged, because of God’s grace, to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
During this Christmas season we must remind ourselves of the glorious truth that God in his gracious mercy gave us his Son- Jesus of Nazareth- to redeem us from sin and to rule over us with matchless grace through his death and resurrection so that now through faith in Him we will receive eternal life, light, joy, glory, victory, and peace with God for ever. Jesus our theanthropic(God-man) King has delivered us from the penalty of sin and the power of Satan and death and brought us into his everlasting kingdom of peace. Eventually we will enter into the fullness of his glorious and righteous kingdom forever to the glory of God the Father.
At Christmas the gospel of God’s grace through his Son shines forth in a spectacular fashion. As Matthew Henry rightly put it: “The design of this gospel, and the grace of it, is to break the yoke of sin and Satan, to remove the burden of guilt and corruption, and to free us from the rod of those oppressors, that we might be brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God. Christ broke the yoke of the ceremonial law (Acts 15:10,Gal 5:1), and delivered us out of the hand of our enemies, that we might serve him without fear(Luke 1:74,75).”
At Christmas both Scripture and Christmas Songs tell us that Jesus Christ is our Savior and King and that’s why we are celebrating his birth. In light of this fact I need to ask you three questions this Christmas. First, have you accepted his gift of salvation from the penalty of sin and the power of Satan or are you still scratching for salvation by self-effort and from secular spirituality? Second, have you submitted to his rule as your God-appointed king or are you still ruling your life? Third, are you grateful to him for what he has done for you?
Lilian and I wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as you celebrate with gratitude the birth of Jesus Christ the Son of God who is our Savior and King.
Warm regards,
The Rt. Rev. Dr. Felix Orji, OSB.
Diocesan Bishop
Anglican Diocese of the West.
Coordinating Bishop of CONNAM.
Holy Trinity Cathedral Church
8402 Howell Sugarland Road
Houston, Texas, 77083
www.dioceseofthewest.org
“We are justified by faith alone, but not by a faith that is alone. True faith always yields the fruit of obedience to one degree or another.” – Dr. R. C. Sproul
