Christmas
January 1, 2016

 Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:3-14

With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance towards redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory. –Ephesians 1:8b-14

A self-descriptive phrase I use often is I do not do money. Never ask me to serve as treasurer of anything. I am most thankful that I worked in a system for 35 years that provided a defined benefit retirement plan because I would not have handled a defined contribution plan well. I think I am responsible with money or at least I have set it up with my bank that all my bills are paid on time and in the right amounts. I don’t like debt so I mostly avoid it probably more because I don’t like to deal with money than because I think it is a wise economic strategy. The retirement system has allowed me the luxury of investing my retirement years exactly as I chose.

So too is what our scripture today describes as our relationship with God. Enrolled in the defined benefit plan of God’s grace, we are each freed to work toward the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God on earth without restraint. Whatever talents or skills God has instilled in us can be returned to God’s service in full measure. Not only are we freed to be fully engaged in working God’s plan, we have been provided an advocate a counselor to guide us on the journey.

A New Year has begun. Let us celebrate the gift of God’s love and grace by becoming fully vested in God’s plan.

Prayer: Lord, guide us on our journey toward the fulfillment of your vision for all people. Amen.

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized 
Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council 
of Churches of Christ in the United States of American. Used by permission. All rights 
reserved.