2020 Worship Guide

2020 Worship Guide LINCOLN DAILY NEWS December 2, 2020 Page 19 C hristmas is getting closer. It’s that time of year. Houses are being decorated with tinsel and lights and for me, personally, I agree with the renowned Christmas song, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” But I also understand that sentiment isn’t true for everyone. For some Christmas conjures up feelings of dread, hurt, sadness, grief, or perhaps worse - hopelessness. Perhaps you’ve recently lost a job which means you are cash strapped. Perhaps you have lost a loved one and are heart broken. The year 2020 has been a difficult and dreaded year for many. Sicknesses, shutdowns, quarantines, political drama, you name it - it seems this year has delivered that and more. But here is where God’s word to us through the prophet Jeremiah is so important for us to hear. “The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will fulfill the good promise I made to the people of Israel and Judah. “‘In those days and at that time I will make a righteous Branch sprout from David’s line; he will do what is just and right in the land. In those days Judah will be saved and Jerusalem will live in safety. This is the name by which it will be called: The Lord Our Righteous Savior’” (Jeremiah 33:15-16). Don’t miss the hope that God speaks of in these verses. The hope that only He can bring, no matter what is happening in our world or happening in your life today, tomorrow, or the tomorrow after that. Whether you agree “this is the most wonderful time of the year” or you think this is a season of distress, God’s Word reminds us of a special and precious gift. It is the hope of a Savior who brings joy that lasts beyond the Christmas sales and who provides deep and abiding comfort that carries you through the worst of Christmas pain. Two years ago I preached a sermon series where we looked at some of the classic Christmas movies down through the years. We looked at movies like Elf, A Christmas Carol, and It’s a Wonderful Life. I pointed out several moral and Biblical themes displayed in each of these movies. One of the movies I didn’t highlight was, “White Christmas.” Filmed back in 1954, this Christmas classic featured Bing Crosby’s Pastor Michael Mallick / Jefferson Street Christian Church The Lord our righteous Savior – our CONTINUE