Holmes Christmas Greetings, 2022
ADAM’S LIKENESS REMOVED
A lesser-known verse of Hark! The Herald Angels states this:
“Adam’s likeness now efface / Stamp Thine image in its place / Second Adam from above / Reinstate us in Thy love.”
They articulate a wonderful truth: when a person comes to Christ in repentance and faith and is made a new creation, he or she begins the long process of progressive sanctification—that is, being set apart from old ways of life that were driven by the values and priorities of a secular worldview (with self very much at the center)—and commencing a journey whose purpose is to be made like Jesus, and which is expressed in such ways as bearing the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, etc., see Galatians 5:22, 23) and being prepared for life in “new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness” (2 Peter 3:13).
Christlikeness is as simple as the words suggest—gaining the likeness of Jesus and putting off the likeness of our original parents. Sinners—and everyone by nature is a sinner—are under the wrath of a pure and holy God and yet are called back to Him through the loving and reconciling work of Jesus, whose life of perfect obedience to God’s law and whose substitutionary death for others secures and guarantees their entrance into heaven. Bethlehem’s Babe was destined for Calvary’s Cross so that sinners like us may be reinstated in the love and grace of God.
View our family newsletter in pictures HERE
NEWS UPDATE AT A GLANCE
2022 has speeded by! Matthew has entered his sophomore year at college and has enjoyed his studies. Sue’s work circumstances changed;she now works freelance on a full-time basis as well as continuing her MA study program. Jim has worked on some big and exciting book design and publishing projects this year.
We were able to have a few enjoyable days of vacation in Georgia before traveling to Britain for a week to see family and friends, and to hold a short memorial service for Jim’s mom (who passed in 2021) in the Lake District.
We are very thankful to the Lord that Sue’s health has improved greatly in the latter half of the year. In God’s kind providence, she is now under a doctor who is treating the cause (rather than just the symptoms) of her problems.
We send love and best wishes to you for 2023.
Featured Image: UK visit, traveling back stateside on Delta Boeing 767
Good to hear from you and what a fast and exciting year it has been for you all. It has been
a good year on this side of roberts road also. We had our Christmas dinner and presents on
Sunday with my daughter, grandson and his fiance. My son was in MAUI and my daughter in law was in Bolivia but both checked in by phone and E mail. Survived the coldest time I have seen in this area with no frozen pipes or damaage. Happy New Year. DOUG
Doug, we are so glad that you have been OK in this colder-than-usual weather; also, delighted that you could have family to be with you on Christmas, and that your son and daughter-in-law could at least be in contact with you on the day, even though not in person! Prayerful greetings and very best wishes to you from “over the road”!
I love the annual Holmes update.
Neither you nor Sue look any different, but Matthew does, having grown into a fine young man. It’s great to see him happy and smiling in all the pics!
It’s always an interesting exercise to prepare the end-of-year updates, Frith, and we are thankful for providential mercies all along the journey. We appreciate your part in the journey with us!