“Joy to the world, the LORD has come!”
The Christmas season evokes a variety of emotions. Some are mourning a recent loss of a loved one and are dreading the idea of spending it without that person. Some allow fear to envelope them…fear of COVID, fear of inflation; fear of speaking out; and fear of being alone, not to mention wars and natural disasters. Fear is the opposite of faith; faith is belief in things hoped for and an assurance that God is in control, no matter the circumstances.
But, we say, things in the world are getting so bad. Yes, BUT it is our choice how the news and the evil that is going on affects us. Hope is God’s gift to us in the form of Christ…fully God and fully man. For years God had promised through His prophets there would be One who would redeem the world. Christmas is the fulfillment of that promise…the scarlet thread of redemption seen throughout the Old Testament. Jeremiah and Ezekiel promised that God would give the world a new heart and a new Spirit that would enable us to overcome the evil in the world and live righteously and justly.
Who among us does not long for righteousness, justice, truth…and peace? Through that tiny baby’s birth so long ago we can have it IF we choose. Isaiah prophesied He would be the Prince of Peace, the answer to a fallen world.
That baby, born so long ago in Bethlehem, prophesied by Micah, would be the sacrificial lamb that reunited God with His people. Bethlehem, close to Jerusalem, is where the lambs prepared for sacrifice in the temple were bred.raised and kept pure. It is no coincidence that Jesus was born there despite the evil ruler Herod the Great; despite the privation; and despite the unbelief of the people who said, “Could anything good come out of Bethlehem?” Bethlehem means “house of bread”. Did Jesus not call Himself the Bread of Life?
His birth, life, death, and resurrection completed the tapestry of salvation woven so long ago by God. The promised new heart and spirit came to rest upon believers on Pentecost. That Spirit that lives within us is love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, patience, and self-control. That Spirit has conquered death, the power of evil and given us a choice once again.
In this Christmas season we have the power to choose love, joy, and peace because of that baby born so long ago. Choose joy! Chose to show love and kindness even to those who may not agree with your political views. A great light came into the world at Jesus’ birth. Now, be that light to others. Merry Christmas!
Check out my books: The Scarlet Thread: God’s Promises to the Patriarchs; The Scarlet Thread: God Prepares His People; and The Scarlet Thread: God Promises Restoration.
The Scarlet Thread Series 