Kopp Disclosure
(John 3:19-21)
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Scratching the Surface
of
Christmas
(A
Brief and Incomplete Look at the Difference Between Like/Is)
Albert Einstein was a familiar face at Princeton
Theological Seminary. While teaching at
the university, he was a frequent guest lecturer at the seminary.
Although one of the most brilliant minds of
the 20th century, he was very forgetful.
It wasn’t unusual to spot him strolling
across the seminary campus without one of his socks or both of his shoes!
There is one story of how the university
switchboard received a call asking for Dr. Einstein’s address. The operator said, “I’m sorry, but Dr.
Einstein has made it clear to us that we are not to give out his address to
anyone.” “But,” the voice whispered
after a short pause, “This is Dr. Einstein.”
It is important to know who you are.
Buuuuuuut it
is even more important to know who Jesus is.
That’s why Constantine called the bishops to
Nicaea in the first quarter of the 4th century.
Arius had confused people with his Biblically
illiterate nonsense about Jesus being kinda like God but not really true
God.
There is a difference between like and
is.
That’s what the Council of Nicaea was all
about. It was called to declare
definitively if Jesus was like God or is God.
Relying on Biblical revelation (e.g., John 1,
Colossians 1, Hebrews 1), the answer was unmistakable: “We believe…in one Lord
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all
worlds, God of God, Light of Light, Very God of Very God, begotten not made,
being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made.”
Simply, Jesus is not like God. Jesus is God.
Jesus is Emmanuel or God-with-us – the
incarnation/enfleshment of God.
Or as one child exclaimed upon finally
figuring Him out, “Jesus is God with skin on.”
That’s why the earliest confession of the
church was so clear, concise, and conclusive: “Jesus Christ is Lord!”
Jesus is God.
The message of Christmas is God’s
incarnation/enfleshment in Jesus with the intent of enabling our confident
living and eternal life through faith in Him as Lord and Savior.
Here’s a letter for parents about the real
meaning of Christmas:
Dear Mom and Dad,
It’s hard to believe Christmas is just around
the corner. Tree lots are springing up
and McDonald’s is selling movies again; though I’m not sure what their
selections have to do with the season.
But in some strange way, all of it gets me pretty excited.
I know you’re wondering what to give the kids
this year. It seems nobody remembers
what you gave them last year. There
aren’t many things that don’t wear out, get thrown out, or become played
out. That’s why I’m writing. I’ve got an idea that can change all of that.
Do you remember when your babies were
born? Do you remember how you were lost
in wonder, love, and praise? Do you
remember when they were baptized? You
promised to tell them about Jesus. Do
you remember those first Christmas Eve services when their faces seemed to glow
even more than the candles in their little hands? Do you remember listening to them sing about
that “Silent Night, Holy Night” for the first time? I know you remember when they saw the manger
scene and exclaimed with such innocent joy, “There’s baby Jesus!”
I know you know what to give them for
Christmas.
I’m not one of those Scrooge-like posing
“Christians” who make holidays look like a bad case of hemorrhoids. I like popcorn balls, candy canes, cookies
with sprinkles, eggnog, mistletoe, and even the funny man in the red suit. They help to make the season bright.
I just want you to remember why we’re always
excited; and not just around this time of the year.
It’s all about a baby. Jesus.
Emmanuel.
So give Jesus to the kids! He is the only gift that last forever!
Blessings and Love!
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Blessings and Love!
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