Weekly Uplook December 24
Happy Christmas Eve!
It has been quite a week for many of us with snow, ice, cancelled appointments and travel, and final preparations for Christmas in the midst of it all. In some ways it could all seem quite exhausting and overwhelming. And yet in the midst of it all we once again have the great privilege of celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem’s manger. Remember, the first Christmas was not celebrated in what most would consider “ideal” or “perfect” circumstances. An unplanned (by Mary/Joseph) pregnancy, a difficult journey due to government overreach, unfair taxation, a brutal and oppressively occupying foreign government (Rome), no adequate housing for the birth, and on and on it goes. In a sin cursed world, things never seem to be “ideal” or “perfect” and yet the scripture describes the first Advent of Christ a bit differently…
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Galatians 4:4–5
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in
the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him… Ephesians 1:8–10
It is interesting to me that the phrase “fulness of time(s)” is used by the Apostle Paul in writing to two different churches in New Testament times. What is not evident in the English is that he choses two different but familiar words to explain what has transpired. To the Galatians…he uses chronos suggesting that when the exact and proper number of years, days, hours, minutes, and seconds had transpired, God sent Jesus for the purpose of redemption. To the Ephesians …he uses kairos to describe that this was so much more than just another day on the calendar or moment on the clock. It was in fact the specific time (first Advent) in which God through Christ begins to gather not just the Jews and Gentiles, but the entire Creation together in a massive plan of redemption and restoration. There has been no other moment like it nor will there be until the second Advent of Christ at his returning.
So …don’t wait for “ideal” or “perfect” …look for “fullness of time” both chronos and kairos. God is still at work in the world…His presence known and felt through His people, the church and by the Holy Spirit. And this God has a marvelous plan…of which we are called to be a small part. May we all be gathered together in Christ this Christmas.
And speaking of gathering together…tomorrow is not only Sunday, but also Christmas Day. This last happened six years ago in 2016 and because of leap year will not happen again until 2033. We will gather for morning service only on both Christmas (and New Years Day) to also allow for time for families. We understand it is a busy time for all, but also rejoice that we have the great privilege and opportunity to gather on the Lord’s Day at the manger. Many believers around the world do not have this opportunity, so we encourage you all to invest your chronos (time) and who knows…it could also be a kairos (time) moment of awe and wonder just like the first Christmas.
Housekeeping: As mentioned above … Only Sunday AM services on Christmas and New Years Day. No Bible Studies until January 4. Lori and I will be in the Philippines from 12/26 through 1/13. I will be available via email/text most of the trip although there is a 16 hour time difference which may delay my responses. Prayer requests can be made via the church website and in an emergency you can call one of the other ministers for prayer. Tithes/offerings will still be collected and secured each week. Any donations made prior to the new year (cash, checks dated by 12/31/22, donations made by 12/31/22 through the website) will all be included on your 2022 contribution letter which should go out the third week of January.
God bless you all and Merry Christmas Eve,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
It has been quite a week for many of us with snow, ice, cancelled appointments and travel, and final preparations for Christmas in the midst of it all. In some ways it could all seem quite exhausting and overwhelming. And yet in the midst of it all we once again have the great privilege of celebrating the birth of the baby Jesus in Bethlehem’s manger. Remember, the first Christmas was not celebrated in what most would consider “ideal” or “perfect” circumstances. An unplanned (by Mary/Joseph) pregnancy, a difficult journey due to government overreach, unfair taxation, a brutal and oppressively occupying foreign government (Rome), no adequate housing for the birth, and on and on it goes. In a sin cursed world, things never seem to be “ideal” or “perfect” and yet the scripture describes the first Advent of Christ a bit differently…
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under
the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
Galatians 4:4–5
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us
the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in
the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both
which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him… Ephesians 1:8–10
It is interesting to me that the phrase “fulness of time(s)” is used by the Apostle Paul in writing to two different churches in New Testament times. What is not evident in the English is that he choses two different but familiar words to explain what has transpired. To the Galatians…he uses chronos suggesting that when the exact and proper number of years, days, hours, minutes, and seconds had transpired, God sent Jesus for the purpose of redemption. To the Ephesians …he uses kairos to describe that this was so much more than just another day on the calendar or moment on the clock. It was in fact the specific time (first Advent) in which God through Christ begins to gather not just the Jews and Gentiles, but the entire Creation together in a massive plan of redemption and restoration. There has been no other moment like it nor will there be until the second Advent of Christ at his returning.
So …don’t wait for “ideal” or “perfect” …look for “fullness of time” both chronos and kairos. God is still at work in the world…His presence known and felt through His people, the church and by the Holy Spirit. And this God has a marvelous plan…of which we are called to be a small part. May we all be gathered together in Christ this Christmas.
And speaking of gathering together…tomorrow is not only Sunday, but also Christmas Day. This last happened six years ago in 2016 and because of leap year will not happen again until 2033. We will gather for morning service only on both Christmas (and New Years Day) to also allow for time for families. We understand it is a busy time for all, but also rejoice that we have the great privilege and opportunity to gather on the Lord’s Day at the manger. Many believers around the world do not have this opportunity, so we encourage you all to invest your chronos (time) and who knows…it could also be a kairos (time) moment of awe and wonder just like the first Christmas.
Housekeeping: As mentioned above … Only Sunday AM services on Christmas and New Years Day. No Bible Studies until January 4. Lori and I will be in the Philippines from 12/26 through 1/13. I will be available via email/text most of the trip although there is a 16 hour time difference which may delay my responses. Prayer requests can be made via the church website and in an emergency you can call one of the other ministers for prayer. Tithes/offerings will still be collected and secured each week. Any donations made prior to the new year (cash, checks dated by 12/31/22, donations made by 12/31/22 through the website) will all be included on your 2022 contribution letter which should go out the third week of January.
God bless you all and Merry Christmas Eve,
BB
Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor
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