December 21, 2025

You can find the order of worship and songs here.

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Christmas is the time when we see the difference between God's ways and man's ways. We reserve our warmest regards and kindest intention for the people we love. We draw our circles tightly around like-minded people. And if we decide someone is an outsider, or worse, if someone has done us wrong, then we exclude them. But not so with God. Jesus was born because God loves those who have done him ill.

Isaiah is from a critical time in Israel's history. God loved Israel out of all the nations of the world, and made a covenant to bless her. Israel made a covenant with God to serve him with joy. But hearts grew cold and Israel began to serve the gods of the nations. And God, like a patient father with an erring child, sent prophets to turn Israel's hearts back to him. But Israel hardened their hearts against God.

Thus God, after much patience and with reluctance, said, "Thy will be done." They loved the foreign gods. To their lands they shall go. The Assyrians conquered Israel and deported the people to live in foreign lands. Lives were lost. Homes were razed. Families were torn apart. But it was all Israel's own doing.

But here God comforts them. Isaiah 9:1 "But there will be no gloom for her who was in anguish." God deals with Israel not as her sins deserved, but according to his grace. "In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the latter time he has made glorious the way of the sea, the land beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the nations." The "former time" is actually Isaiah's present time. Zebulun, Naphtali, and Galilee were the first regions to fall before the Assyrians. Darkness flowed out from there to cover the rest of the nation. But Isaiah looks at "the latter time" when God will fulfill Isaiah 7:14 "Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel." God will, once again, be in the midst of his people. From the place darkness flowed out, light will burst forth. Indeed, Galilee became Jesus' hometown. Jesus is the bright light of Galilee that drives out the darkness of sin as far as the curse is found. God sent hope. But not to a people who were on his side, but who were decidedly against him! God does not treat us as our sins deserve.

How can God do this? Because Jesus said to God, in our place, "Thy will be done." We did not love God or serve him with joy. But Jesus did in our place and for us. We deserve wrath and rejection. But even then Jesus said, "Thy will be done" even to the cross. We should have suffered and died. Jesus died in our place and for us. Jesus is the reason why God does not treat us as our sins deserve. Jesus is why we, even after we have fought him tooth and nail, still may say "Forgive me, receive me, and make me whole." And God will.

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Growth Resources

This year: Please see the full list of 2025 books as well as Bible reading plans on our church webpage.

In December we are reading "The Dawn of Redeeming Grace: Daily Devotions for Advent " by Sinclair Ferguson.

Everyday: Noted pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson posts a short reflection every day, each around 5 minutes long. "Things Unseen" cover various aspects of the Christian life, worship, and theological topics in a very accessible and edifying way. We encourage you to incorporate this into your daily life. Please see this page for more information. There you will find links to various podcast platforms as well as YouTube page.

Announcements

Thank you for your continued support of Grace Fallbrook (PCA). Your loving support makes the proclamation of the gospel and the building up of the saints possible. Please visit gracefallbrook.church/give and click on "Give Online Now." You will be directed to the PCA Foundation where you can give towards Grace Fallbrook (PCA).

This Week's Prayers

Please email your prayer request by Thursday to include it in the list for the upcoming week — info@gracefallbrook.church