“These things I have spoken to you in parables, but the hour is coming when I will no more speak to you in proverbs, but will announce to you plainly concerning the Father.” - John 16:25
Kempton New Church

Christmas 2006

Dear Neighbor,

At Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus. A prophecy in Isaiah tells us who He was, and who He is:

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government shall be upon His shoulder. And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, Father of Eternity, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

In other words, the Lord from eternity, who is Jehovah, came into the world when Jesus was born. The gospels show that at the time when He came, many people were possessed by demons and unclean spirits, even children. Evil spirits took possession not just of people’s minds and emotions but even directly controlled their bodies, forcing them to do things they did not want to do. (See, for example, Mark 5 and 9.) They were threatening everyone being born into the world and everyone passing on to the life after death. If the Lord had not come to save us, all mankind would have rushed into hell, without a choice.

But when the time was right, the Mighty God came into the world to subdue the spirits of hell, “to save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:23) He came to be our Prince of Peace, by restoring order and freedom, both on earth and in the spiritual world. All of His life, Jesus was going through continual battles and winning continual victories, until by Easter, He had completely overcome the hells. He holds them in subjugation forever.

Certainly we still face hardships and trials. We are attacked and tested by evil spirits, and often people succumb. But the difference is that we have free choice between good and evil, right and wrong, as we understand it. And if we are willing to let the Lord lead us, we will always overcome the demons that afflict us in the long run.

The Lord did not come to end all our trials but to give us the ability to be strengthened through them, and so to grow closer to Him, if we are willing. On the eve of His last, most severe struggle, He said, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid… In the world you will have affliction, but have confidence: I have overcome the world.” (John 14:27, 16:33)

You are invited to worship Him at Kempton New Church on Sundays at 10:00 a.m. There is a service on Christmas Eve at 4:30 p.m. You can find out more about the New Church at www.KemptonNewChurch.org. May we be of good cheer this Christmas, having confidence in the Prince of Peace.

Merry Christmas!