Sweet Aroma Band Sweet Aroma Band Newsletters

January 2008 Newsletter

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come,
the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

Merry Christmas!

Yes, I realize that it is several days after the big celebration. Many of you have taken down the tree and put away the decorations for another year. But, I still say Merry Christmas! I enjoy this time of year. Well, not the craziness of shopping, extra activities, extra baking…all that just stresses me out because I’m too much of a perfectionist (did the cookies turn out and did they like the gifts…?), or even the nostalgia or traditions.

I like it because it is not just a story about a baby born in a barn due to the unfortunate circumstances of his parents not making it to the local hospital or finding an available motel room. I’m sure we can find similar stories from 2007 by doing a Google search. No, this baby was special and his birth about 2000 years ago has changed eternity! During December my pastor shared some awesome insights into the greatest three act drama of all time, which challenged me to think more about this infant laying in a manger in some ways that I never had before.

Act I – Jesus is the One who WAS

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth…and in him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:15-17)

He WAS before He was born!
He had no beginning because He IS the beginning!
He is the Creator of everything.
He holds everything together.

Act II – Jesus is the One who IS

But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law (Galatians 4:4)

He, the Highest Authority, came and chose to live under human law and the law of nature.
He was born of a woman – whom He had actually created.
He, who was the Word – became an infant who could not talk!
He is still here – His Spirit lives in those who believe on Him.
He adopts us into his family.

Act III – Jesus is coming again!

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth. (Philippians 2:10)

His first arrival was a “silent night” but his return will not go unnoticed by anyone! The promise of Christmas has yet to be fulfilled, mended hearts, peace on earth, all that hope that we have will be realized at his return. He will come in all his glory with a cloud (crowd) of witnesses.

Each year as we celebrate his first arrival, as a baby, let’s not forget that He is coming back to complete that which He put in motion. Act III has yet to unfold – are we excited that it will be at His return as KING!?

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
May you draw ever closer to Him in 2008!