A pastor friend of mine by the name of Scott Downing sent me this and it blessed me, and I trust it blesses you.
Augustine wrote, “There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.”
Without Jesus, I am abandoned to my past. Sure, I can try to improve myself through various approaches and techniques. I can develop habits of compassion, kindness, and mercy towards others. My future would have a trajectory of living to an ethical code I find compatible with who I am – then try to make-my-case if there is a God who can look skeptically at all my self-righteousness and best behavior.
But then – a Savior was born; a Son was given to me. Immanuel. This one, this Jesus, traveled to me. Like the Wise Men from some far Eastern Country, Jesus brought gifts. I suppose these gifts had an order of some sort, but like a child on a brisk Christmas morning, I tore them open joyously discovering what He had brought me. Regeneration. Salvation. Redemption. Justification. Adoption, Union. Sanctification.
So that I would not quickly forget the exceptional generosity shown me with such gifts, Jesus gave me His Word and a Teacher who would always walk with me, alongside of me, and – wonder of wonders – within me: His Holy Spirit.
Knowing my past, and understanding all my frailties, He gave me a future. Glorification. “Is that a gift I have to wait to open?” I asked. I was amazed that even now He was working that gift in me, conforming and shaping me – changing my heart and will from its past to His present and future.
I got it, Augustine: “There is no saint without a past, no sinner without a future.” It’s another way of saying, “Merry Christmas.”
So, church, I say to you too, “Merry Christmas,” for to you a Savior is born, and a Son is given Jesus Christ. God bless you, Pastor Mark Morton