It's our holly jolly Christmas episode on this week's edition
of Liberty at Home. Merry Christmas, and welcome to
a very special edition of Liberty at Home.
I'm Adam Rivero, the pastor of Liberty Baptist Church, which
meets right here in Easton. Today, as always, we're
broadcasting from the studios of Easton Community Access
Television, where our interns are carefully carving the Rose
Beast and opening cans of Who Hash in the break room.
Today I want to take a few minutes is to consider how truly
hectic this Christmas season can be.
And that's ironic because December is the month we try to
clear our schedules in an effort to enjoy the Christmas season.
But for many, December is a month where peace is highly
sought after, Get off and elusive.
The promise of peace seems to be around each and every corner,
yet with every turn it seems to be tantalizingly out of reach.
Some search for peace at Christmas by spending time with
family and friends, yet too often planning parties and
family get togethers brings more stress than solace.
Broken promises, unmet expectations and the re
emergence of old wounds from the past can make family time
something to be endured. Rather than enjoy, others now
hunt for peace and the traditions of the season.
No doubt there's some level of comfort to be found with many of
our Christmas traditions, but even the best of plans can turn
to disappointments. I remember the year our family
picked out what seemed to be the perfect Christmas tree.
After hours of searching, we watered it, cared for it just
like we always did. But after a week, the tree
dropped all of its needle needles and seemed like a few
hours. It was like the Charlie Brown
Christmas Special had come to life.
Still other people attempt to find peace in the traditional
food and drink we enjoy this time of year.
Now trust me, I get this pile of Turkey, green bean casserole,
and eggnog. Non alcoholic of course, as much
as anybody, but as wonderful as those flavors can be to the
palate, they're not as comfortable to the waistline in
the new year. Now, with all of that
discouragement, you must think me to be something of a Grinch.
You must imagine me angrily muttering Bah Humbug under my
breath as I furiously tap the keys of my laptop writing the
script. But my goal is not to suggest
there's anything wrong with enjoying family or traditions or
food at this time of the year. However, I do want us to place
them all in the proper perspective.
If you're looking for true, lasting peace that will never
disappoint, you'll only be able to find it in Jesus Christ.
This Christmas your search for peace should begin and end with
the Prince of Peace. Isaiah Chapter 9 verse 6
foretold of this Prince when the prophet said, For unto us a
child is born, unto us the Son is given, and the government
shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called.
Wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the
Prince of Peace. The birth of the Christ child
that we celebrate this December is the fulfillment of this
promised Savior, the Prince of Peace.
Jesus confirmed this when He said in John 1427, just hours
before He went to the cross. Mind you, peace I leave with
you, My peace I give unto you. Not as the world giveth, give I
unto you. Let not your heart be troubled,
neither let it be afraid. This Christmas, I hope you enjoy
a slice of pie or three and a joyous time with those you love.
But if you're looking for peace that will never leave you and
never fail you, repent of your sin and turn to Jesus Christ
today. I promise you that the free gift
of salvation is better than anything you'll ever find under
your tree. Well, as we close this episode
of Liberty at Home, I like to wish you the merriest of
Christmases. I'm looking forward to being
back with you next week for the final edition of Liberty at Home
for 2025. But in the meantime, I hope you
join us at Liberty, maybe even for our candlelight Christmas
Eve service at 5:00 PM. We meet at 800 and Washington
Street, and you can find more information about us at
mylibertybaptist.org. Well, this is Adam Rivero
signing off from Liberty at Home with a reminder that where the
Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty.
Merry Christmas from all of us here at Liberty at Home.