Christmas
January 3, 2019
Scripture Reading: Hebrews 1:1-4, (5-12)
Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds. He is the reflection of God’s glory and the exact imprint of God’s very being, and he sustains all things by his powerful word. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs. –Hebrews 1:1-4
The start of a new year is a great time to consider the purification of sins. In the tradition of animal sacrifice for sin forgiveness routine offerings needed to be made of various types. What God did for God’s children through Christ is offer one purification process: asking for and accepting Christ’s forgiveness. As humans with free will, however, that first forgiveness cleansed us of the sin we had committed along with the promise that such forgiveness is ours for the asking and repentance forever, but it did not render us incapable of sin. Thus, in our continuing relationship with God, we review our lives, identify instances when we have missed the mark or separated ourselves from God through our behavior, and repent asking for forgiveness as needed.
I have a hunch God wants us to love God and love one another through our free will. If free will were taken away from us, we would lose the ability to sin but also the ability to choose to love. The ability to love is a great gift for which Jesus was willing to sacrifice his life. We must never take it for granted.
We live in a world where some seem to get, I do not the word to describe it, fulfillment maybe, out of hate or greed or lust for power rather than love. Seeking fulfillment from such lesser gods rob robs us the true wholeness that only comes from God’s pure love.
Prayer: Lord, as we start a new year purify me of my sins, awaken me to see clearly the lesser gods I pursue an lead to let them go for the sake of true love. Amen.