05.01.2025
stevebaley89@gmail.com
To the Churches and Members of the Yazoo County Baptist Association,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
As we enter this season of joy and reflection, I want to encourage you to embrace the wonder of Christmas by turning to Matthew 1:18–25. These verses beautifully remind us of the miraculous gift of the Incarnation—the moment when God came to dwell among us.
1. The Incarnation is God becoming man for revelation:
Matthew tells us, "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel" (verse 23). Jesus came to reveal the very heart of God to us. Through His birth, life, and ministry, He demonstrated God’s love, grace, and truth. In Christ, we see the fullness of the Father, and we are drawn closer to Him.
2. The Incarnation is for identification:
Jesus came not only to reveal God but also to identify with humanity. He was born into this world as one of us, experiencing life in all its complexities. He knows our joys, struggles, and temptations, yet without sin. His name, Immanuel—“God with us”—assures us that we serve a Savior who understands and walks with us every step of the way.
3. The Incarnation is for redemption:
Matthew declares, "And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name JESUS, for He will save His people from their sins" (verse 21). Jesus was born not just to reveal or identify but to redeem. His mission was to save us from sin and restore us to a relationship with God. This is the greatest gift of all—eternal life through Him.
This Christmas, let us as an association of churches come together in worship, gratitude, and unity, remembering the profound truths of the Incarnation. May the light of Christ shine brightly through your ministries and into our communities, proclaiming the good news that God is with us!
On behalf of the Yazoo County Baptist Association, I pray that you and your churches will experience the peace, joy, and hope that only Christ can bring this season.
Merry Christmas, and may God bless you all abundantly!
In Christ,
Dr. Barry Ward
Association Leader
