Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem,
It was in the days of Herod the King.
Behold, from the east to Jerusalem
Came wise men searching for Jesus the King.

In the east a star,
A beautiful star!
Draw nigh unto Jesus,
Oh people afar.

They said, "He is born! But where is He born?
The King of the Jews is come: Where is He?"
His star in the east rose to Him adorn;
To bless the Christ Jesus, come from His glory.

In the east a star,
A beautiful star!
Draw nigh unto Jesus,
Oh people afar.

When Herod the King of all these things heard,
They troubled him and all Jerusalem.
"My chief priests, my scribes, what says God's Word?
Where should Christ be born?" he demanded of them.

In the east a star,
A beautiful star!
Draw nigh unto Jesus,
Oh people afar.

Where Christ should be born, the prophet does tell:
In Bethlehem of Judea is where.
My people shall Jesus rule-Israel.
Out of Bethlehem shall come a Governor.

In the east a star,
A beautiful star!
Draw nigh unto Jesus,
Oh people afar.

"But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall He come forth unto thee that is to be Ruler in Israel: whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting." (Micah 5:2)

Today is December 3, 2007. I am writing from Davao City, Mindanao, Philippines "down-under" (as you look at a map of the Philippine Archipelago). Rev. Edwin Puzon, who visited several RCUS churches during August and September, 2007, travels with me as we visit the Covenant Reformed Church of Davao City, and get better acquainted with God's people here. Later this week we catch a bus north to Cagayan de Oro in northern Mindanao, to another church pastored by Rev. Remegio Lapiz. In the following week, we will be joined by Revs. Vernon Pollema of Ebenezer Reformed Church in Shafter, CA, and Michael Voytek of Providence Reformed Church in Lodi, CA, for the "RCUS Reformed Ministry Conference" in scenic Baguio City, Luzon (December 10-14). We expect 20-25 Filipino pastors and elders to attend. Though busy, I have time to reflect on the reason why my brothers and I are here serving the Lord.

"For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9)

The apostle Paul wrote this to Christians in the early church, who, in spite of great poverty, willingly and sacrificially gave what they had to those worse off than themselves. That is how they gave themselves to the Lord (background verses 1-5). Though poor, yet making others rich! Opportunity abounds everywhere especially in the most unexpected places, like the Philippines. Lest we forget from whence these mercies come, the apostle refreshes our minds and hearts with the ultimate motivation for the service of Christ: His giving Himself to us.

Grace is Christ's true riches. "For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ." During this time of gift-giving we can become overly focused on material things. And sadly, in the case of the vast majority, who are ungodly unbelievers, it is forgetting the Giver for the gifts (James 1:17). How selfish! For professing Christians who act this way, how immature! You see, true child of God, Christ has something more for you: grace. Our Lord Jesus prayed: "As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." (John 17:2, 3) We enjoy giving and receiving earthly gifts. Ecclesiastes 2:24 tells us, "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God." Look more closely. God has more in His hand for you than that. Christ came that we might have life and that more abundantly! There is yet another reason.

Grace came at Christ's expense. "That, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor." (2 Cor. 8:9b) It is true, that everything has a price. When folks hit the malls during these holidays they discover this all over again. Even the freebies, like at your local Costco store, costs the customer in the end. According to Heidelberg Catechism Question and Answer #11, God's justice requires "that sin which is committed against the most high majesty of God, be punished with extreme, that is, with everlasting punishment both of body and soul." This is our spiritual condition brought about by the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden (Genesis chapter 3; Romans 5:12). "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift (the same root word for grace) is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Rom. 6:23) Grace is the unmerited favor of God to wretched hell-deserving sinners. Grace comes to us through the bloody mediation of Christ for our sins. Because of Jesus living the life we can never live and dying the death that we deserve, we who are Christ's are accepted by a just and holy God. God gives eternal life on the basis of Christ becoming our sin-bearer and wrath-bearer and guilt-bearer! (Isaiah 53) We are bought with such a price which love can never repay!

Lastly, Christ did this for debtors. "That ye through his poverty might be rich." (2 Cor. 8:9c) In the U.S. shoppers will use their credit cards this season to buy gifts for themselves, their loved ones and friends. In other words, they will borrow money to pay for their presents. In many cases it will not be repaid for years to come. We are miserable debtors to God. Christ left His throne in glory and condescended to men of low estate. Jesus became the slave for those He came to save! "but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:7, 8)

Every human being on the face of the earth owes his life to God. What does God require? "Give Me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways." (Prov 23:26) The unsaved cannot do this. Men by nature are lovers of themselves more than lovers of God. This includes all of us. Nevertheless, God was pleased to send His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins. Like that favorite hymn states, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me..." What a sublime mystery! Yet how true, that though Jesus was rich, yet for our sakes He became poor, that we through his poverty might be rich.

May we also be rich in love and thankful service to Him.

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." (Matt. 2:11)

Do you personally know the grace of the Lord Jesus? Do you know Him?

My wife Maricar and I returned to the Philippines September 17, 2009, for the funeral of her father. We joined her seven siblings who live there with their families, plus the oldest brother Vincent who arrived from London where he resides with his family. The Lord granted us a number of witnessing and counseling opportunities. I preached three times on the Lord's Day, at Papa's memorial service and at the time of his burial service. It is a challenge to give the gospel to a large family like hers. So far, she has a sister and a brother who have professed faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Maricar and I are thankful for what God has begun to do in bringing salvation to her extended family.

On the last day before my return to the US, I attended the quarterly meeting of the United Covenant Reformed Churches in the Philippines (UCRCP). It was held in Las Pinas City. The consistory voted to formally organize the Las Pinas City congregation sometime at the start of 2010. San Carlos City UCRCP and Las Pinas City UCRCP will constitute the first classis of the UCRCP which they hope to organize by March or April 2010. Then their classis will be able to proceed with the ordination examinations of Vic Bernales. He is a recent graduate of Mid-America Seminary and presently supplies the pulpit of Covenant Reformed Church of Davao City.