COVENANTER

The New Testament offers profound responses to Christ’s birth: angels proclaim “good tidings of great joy,” shepherds glorify God, Magi worship, and Simeon declares his peace in seeing the Messiah. Why such rejoicing? Isaiah 9 foretells the significance of this child: He will rule with wisdom as our Wonderful Counselor, with power as our Mighty God, with eternal care as our Everlasting Father, and bring true peace as our Prince of Peace. This Christmas, may we echo the joy of Isaiah’s proclamation, declaring, “To us a child is born, to us a Son is given.”

In 1785 Rabbie Burns, one of Scotland’s most celebrated poets, wrote “To a Mouse,” inspired by his accidental destruction of a mouse’s nest. In this poem, Burns reflects on the frailty of human plans and the sorrow of life without hope, poignantly contrasting the mouse's present-focused existence with his own grief and fear of the past and future. For the Christian, however, the message of Christmas replaces grief and fear with the everlasting hope, joy, and peace found in Jesus Christ, who came to redeem and dwell with us forever.

Pastor Rob reflects on Pastor Kyle’s godly character. Like Paul in 2 Corinthians, Pastor Kyle’s humility and grace are evidence of God’s sanctifying work, often through the very weaknesses and afflictions that reveal Christ’s power. Let us be encouraged to embrace our own thorns, trusting in the Lord’s sufficient strength made perfect in our frailty and trials.

Martin Rinkart (1586–1649) was a German Lutheran pastor whose entire ministry took place in his hometown of Eilenburg during one of the most devastating periods in European history—the Thirty Years’ War. For 30 of his 31 years as pastor, he served amidst war, famine, and plague. Despite these overwhelming hardships, in 1636 Rinkart wrote a prayer of thanksgiving for his children that became the hymn Now Thank We All Our God—a timeless reminder of gratitude even in the darkest of times.

George Matheson, a Scotsman born in Glasgow in 1842, faced profound trials early in life, including total blindness by age 20 and the heartbreak of a broken engagement. Despite these hardships, Matheson pursued pastoral ministry and wrote the cherished hymn O Love That Will Not Let Me Go, inspired by the enduring love of God amid his personal struggles. This hymn, a testament to God's immutable and everlasting love, continues to remind believers of the faithfulness and sacrificial love of Christ.

It’s easy to take the Lord’s gifts for granted, particularly the gift of elders who care for our spiritual well-being. In His kindness, God has appointed qualified men to shepherd us, guarding, guiding, and feeding our souls with wisdom and understanding. In the ARP, both ruling elders and teaching elders serve as spiritual overseers, not merely to conduct church business but to nurture our faith—what a gift to thank Him for!

God’s authority surpasses all political landscapes, and His kingdom endures while nations rise and fall. Regardless of who holds office, every leader is established by God, and we are called to honor them and pray for them as Scripture instructs. While we may engage with the political realm, our ultimate allegiance lies in God's eternal kingdom, as we are set apart to proclaim His excellencies.

Though the nations rage and strive against the Lord and His Anointed, Jesus stands immovable, unwavering like a lighthouse amidst stormy seas. As His people, we too face resistance from those who rebel against God, yet we find refuge in the strong tower of Christ. With countless trials around us—whether personal struggles, societal upheavals, or global unrest—our confidence remains firm, for God is our refuge and strength, a present help in trouble.

Some have questioned whether Christ Covenant is under satanic attack or even cursed, given the many hardships experienced by the church lately. While we acknowledge the reality of spiritual warfare, we can rest assured that God is sovereign over all circumstances, and Satan can only do what God permits. Though trials may come, we can confidently say that we are not cursed but blessed, and all things are being worked for our good, even in seasons of hardship.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul encourages us not to be anxious about anything, but this can feel overwhelming since it often only takes one thing to unsettle us. Along with bringing our worries to God in prayer, Jesus also reminds us to take life one day at a time. Instead of focusing on the days and years to come, we can trust God to give us the grace we need for today, handling each day’s troubles as they come.

Job's declaration, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him," is a profound statement of faith, even in the midst of suffering. While his wife urged him to "Curse God and die," Job's trust in God remained unshaken, even when it seemed God Himself was against him. His example challenges us to place our hope in the Lord, not only in moments of blessing but even in the darkest trials.

In times of deep sorrow and loss, how should we respond? This week, we turn to the story of Job—a man who endured unimaginable grief yet learned profound truths about God's sovereignty. Through Job’s suffering, we are reminded that God's will doesn't always guarantee our earthly comfort and is often beyond our understanding. But we can take comfort in knowing that He is always wise, good, and worthy of our trust.