Snyder's Church NB
The Pastor's Desk Image

 
DECEMBER 24, 2025              
 
A TEXT OF TERROR
 
Dear Snyder's Church Family and Friends,
 
On this Sunday after Christmas we gather to read St. John 1: 1 - 14
and the Sermon title is "Look Both Ways" by Pastor Jeff.
Jeff will conclude his Christmas story for the children.
We shall sing "There's Something About That Name";
"Joy To The World"; "What Child Is This?"
plus other music selected for the Service.
Plan to Worship with us and you will be most graciously welcomed.
 
 
When Wise Men from the east noticed signs in the heavens that the Savior had been born, they made their way to Bethlehem, by way of Jerusalem. When they tell King Herod about the Savior's birth,
Herod pretends to worship Jesus, too. "Hey on your way back home, let me know the exact location so I can send a gift or something"
were Herod's last words to the three wise men.
 
The wise men never do come back to Jerusalem. In a dream, they find out that the baby's life was at risk, and they take a different route home. So Herod does a terrible thing; he has all the male infants in and around Bethlehem killed. And just to be sure he gets the right one, he kills all of them under the age of two, even one of his own sons. There was an idiom around Jerusalem those days which said, "In Herod's house,
his pigs are safer than his children."
 
So today as we continue to sing "Joy To The World" we read about children dying senselessly, and mothers weeping uncontrollably.
And these verses along with other verses in the Bible that are almost too painful to read, have come to be known as "texts of terror."
There's that word again.
 
You see, terrorism, didn't get invented in the 21st century. Evil people have been perfecting it for many centuries now. Whenever there is an opportunity to stand in the way of peace, or work against love, or insult human dignity, evil people have found a way to do that.
 
But we in the Church want us to have the joy and peace that only Christ can give.
May you truly be blessed today and may you also truly be a blessing to others.
If you are reading this on Christmas Eve we'd invite you to worship with us at 6:30 pm for our Annual Carol and Candlelight Service.
A warm and cordial welcome awaits all who attend.
God bless you all. 
Pastor Bill