Pastor Eric Nelson

A message from the pastor...


A bright, brilliant angel has a message for shepherds keeping watch over their flock in a field outside of Bethlehem. This message declared that Christ the Lord has been born. Why was this child sent into the world? This can’t be good. The Almighty has certainly seen all of the wickedness and depravity that pollutes the world he created. The people have no fear of him. They simply go about their lives as they please. Therefore, he must have sent his Son because he has divine wrath and vengeance on his mind.

But the news of Christ’s birth was not a message of doom. The words of the heavenly army that appeared say it all. These angels did not exclaim woe and curses on the inhabitants of the earth. They didn’t warn that the Lord has come to bring his wrath and vengeance. Instead, the angels declared praise and good tidings. We do not have to fear. The child born in Bethlehem comes with peace and good will.

The child was born for our salvation. He would take upon himself the demands of the holy and righteous God. As a result, the child would never be disobedient. Despite facing opposition and temptation, he would live a life free from sin. It was a life that pleased his heavenly Father.

This obedient life, however, would lead to a cross. The sins of this world must be punished. In order to fulfill the justice of a holy and righteous God, the innocent Son of Mary would be handed over to his enemies and put to death by crucifixion. In other words, he would take our place and lay down his life as a perfect and unblemished sacrifice.

The sacrifice satisfied the justice of God. That is why the grave could not keep him. The lifeless corpse of Jesus would rise again on the third day. As a result, no longer will our sins arouse the anger of God. No longer are we doomed to face his judgment. Instead, we have been forgiven. Peace and good will belong to us.

Do you know how you stand before God? Are you concerned that he is angry and bitter about your disobedience? Is this why we encounter trouble, suffering, and hardship? Do you want to know if God loves us you? The child born to Mary and placed in a manger settles the matter. God’s love for you is so deep that he would allow his only, beloved Son to face the agony and brutality of a cross so you would have a Savior.

Like the angels, we rejoice and say “Glory be to God in the highest!” God has revealed by means of this child born in Bethlehem that his love for us real and genuine. It is because of this gift wrapped in swaddling clothes that we have peace and good will.

Have a blessed Christmas!

  Pastor Nelson