This year has been a momentous year for the defense of life in our country. On January 22, 1972, the United State Supreme Court invented a right to abortion not articulated in the constitution in the Roe v. Wade case. It was assumed that with this decision, the question of abortion and its legitimacy would be settled. Instead, it awakened the church and those who recognized the ruling's illegitimacy, injustice, and depravity. In June of this past year, the United States Supreme Court overturned this decision in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.

We must be very clear that the issue of abortion is not a right or left issue. In fact, it is not truly a political issue. The issue of honoring and protecting life is a pre-political issue. Something that is pre-political existed before government and politics. God gives life, and no man nor government has the right to take life away.

In this passage, God declares the uniqueness and sacredness of life because man is an image bearer of God.

The birth of Jesus is an amazing event. His birth is why we celebrate Christmas. As Matthew retells the birth story, he repeatedly reminds us that these events were the fulfillment of the prophecies that foretold of the coming messiah. Even the family’s escape to Egypt and return to Nazareth (2:13-23) were part of God’s perfect plan. But amazing as the birth and all the events around it are – the birth is not the end of the story.

The birth of Jesus is important but why He was born is even more important. Matthew 3 begins to tell the story of who Jesus is and why Jesus was born. Jesus is the Lord of all creation. The Lord of all creation came to die that we might be saved