MERRY CHRISTMAS 2012!

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Mid American Stock Car Series
December 20, 2012

Each year it is hard to think of a different message for Christmas. As I sat, thought and prayed about it I had this come to mind and heart to share with you. May we think, pray and worship together!

One of the big things right now is the “wrap”. We see cars, vans, buses, haulers, RV and of course race cars. There are some pretty cool ones I have seen. They really send a message and often a big message.

Surely at this time of year the “wrap” takes on different meaning, especially to the little ones. We are excited about what we will find wrapped to unwrap under the tree. Those wrapping too can tell us things and what the focus of the holiday is for the giver. It has a message too.

Let’s look at the importance of “wrap” in the Bible and Jesus’ birth. In Luke 2:7 we read, “and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.”

As I read this I thought how my youngest son has a very special blanket. He has it around him a lot. Each of the kiddos has a special blanket made by their Nana. We do not know who made the blanket, wrap, for Jesus at his birth or where it came from but we see it is important enough to be mentioned with the manager. It had to be special.

It is also interesting that those things we see at Jesus’ birth (Christmas), we almost always see at his death/resurrection (Good Friday/ Easter). Let’s take a peek. Luke 23:11 Then Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him. Dressing him in an elegant robe, they sent him back to Pilate. And John 19:5 When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. One more John 19:23-24 23 When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took his clothes, dividing them into four shares, one for each of them, with the undergarment remaining. This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom. 24 "Let's not tear it," they said to one another. "Let's decide by lot who will get it." This happened that the scripture might be fulfilled which said, "They divided my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing." So this is what the soldiers did.

Here too is a powerful verse on the LORD (Jesus) and what He is clothed in -- Psalm 93:1 The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength. Not only is God “wrapped” but He wants us to be too. Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness,… KJV and 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 54 When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory.” 55 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. In Romans we get the answer of where the righteous is from and to whom it is given, Romans 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

Don’t miss this! Jesus was wrapped as a baby. We see the tie to the end of His life here on Earth. And we see the tie to us. God wants each one of us to be wrapped in righteous yet we know from other passages in Romans (3:10; 6:23; 6:23) that we have sinned and cannot be righteous on our own. It is only through and in the blood of Jesus that we have the hope of eternal life. Have you called out on Jesus as LORD and given your life to Him? Have you confessed your sin and repented? If you really want to see the true meaning and have the true joy of Christmas this season we must turn to Him and gaze upon His greatness.

Merry Christmas from me and my family to you and yours and have a great day racin’ in the SONshine,

Pastor Todd Christopherson
Team Jesus Racing Ministry

Feel free to contact me at: torch_for_jesus@yahoo.com, 608-630-7301 or
512 Chippewa Court, DeForest, WI 53532