Redemption

by Pastor Steph

Yesterday was our daughter’s eleventh birthday. We celebrated with the usual cake and ice-cream and telling stories about the day she was born. With the help of Dr. Tom Herzog, she entered this world as our firstborn at 6:19 p.m. on December 29, 2009. I may be a bit biased, but I’m certain she was the cutest little baby I had ever seen. There were tears of joy, relief, and laughter when they placed Hannah Jean in my arms.

Shortly after she was born, we started the chain of calling friends and family with the good news. I called my grandmother. I was her first grandchild and now I had the privilege of telling her that she had her first great-grandchild. There was a pause after I shared the news and then a sigh. Her words came loud and clear, “Thank God this day is finally redeemed.”

On December 29, 1969, forty years prior, my grandmother had woken up early to make breakfast for her family. She called down the stairs to her eldest son letting him know that the pancakes were ready, but he didn’t answer. She called again, but still no answer so she walked downstairs to find her 19-year-old son had died. Her firstborn child died on December 29. For forty years the anniversary of his death was a painful reminder of the grief she carried in her heart. But today, was different. It would no longer just be the day that Charles died, but now, it was also the day that Hannah was born.

“Thank God this day is finally redeemed.”

Redemption is the action of being rescued or saved. It is the regaining or gaining possession of something in exchange for the clearing of a debt. The day was marked by death and sorrow and redeemed with the joy of new life. The psalmist writes, “Put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.” “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.”

Grandma waited forty years for December 29 to be redeemed. Many of us have waited as well. We have waited in the dark for light to shine; waited for mourning to turn to dancing. We have waited to trade our sorrows for the joy of the Lord. As we look back over the year that has been, we are called to tell our salvation story. To speak of the ways that God has rescued us in times of trial. King David writes, “Weeping may spend the night, but joy comes in the morning light.” As we enter a new year, a new day dawns and in it, we have the privilege every morning, of thanking God for His redemption through Jesus Christ.

Thank you God for rescuing me from sin and death and giving to me the joy of your salvation. By your redeeming love, you have wiped away our tears and restored hope in the promise of new life lived with you. Amen.

-- Pastor Steph

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