We attended Christmas church service this weekend. It was a beautiful service and the message has continued to echo for me. The title of the service was "O Holy Night: When The Soul Felt It's Worth" based, of course, on the lyrics to the Christmas carol:
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
The pastor spoke about how God is a pursuing God. He loves us, desires us, and values us. No matter what we have done or where we are in our lives, He wants us to come home. He is the Good Father who runs out on the road to embrace the prodigal children and restore their place in the family.
The pastor referenced the book Relentless Pursuit by Ken Gire which is about how God pursues us with love and faithfulness.
Within Relentless Pursuit, a children's book is also referenced to highlight God's desire for us: The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise.
The book is about a mother bunny who explains to her young child that, no matter where he runs away to, she will always find a way to welcome him home. For example, he asks, "What would happen if I turn into a bird and fly away", and the mother bunny says she would turn into a tree and welcome him home.
This is what Christmas is all about. God is a pursuing God. He sent his Son to dwell with us, to come embrace us, and to make a way home.
May your soul feel its worth in Christ!
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