…..And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
…..Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,
…..Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
Matthew 1:21-23
Dear Friends,
I have found that whether it’s a white Christmas or a Christmas in a tropical climate, celebrating the birth of our Saviour is always a time that brings joy and a new sense of hope. Christmas carols, the Christmas story, and time spent with friends and family remind us that even in the darkest of times, God is with us.
If you can not be with friends or family this Christmas, remember that there is a Friend who sticks closer than a brother. If I had to choose between a life of solitary confinement with Jesus, or a life filled with friends and family without Jesus, I would choose Jesus, without hesitation. Jesus + nothing = everything. In It’s a Wonderful Life, Clarence tells George Bailey, “No man is a failure who has friends.” I would offer to fix that: No man is a failure who has Jesus.
I am sure Mary felt lonely and alone as she was pregnant out of wedlock and facing a conservative community that just might want to stone her to death. But the first Christmas showed that there is always hope. God talked to Mary’s fiancé and her family and made them understand. Instead of a public execution, Mary and Joseph were honored to be part of the greatest miracle the world had ever seen. Angels sang to trumpet the birth of their Child. Unexpected visitors came to worship Him. That is the special kind of hope we have in the gospel. Christian hope is a promise, something that is certain. Through faith in Christ, our hope of salvation is rock solid. Our hope of his coming back again for us is as certain as the rising of the sun. Our God keeps his promises. Our God is with us.
Father, thank You for the eternal hope we have in your Son. Thank You for being faithful to keep your promise to send Him. Thank You, Father, that He was not born into riches in a palace high above us, but as a poor child all can relate to. Thank You that He is not only our King but also our Friend and our Brother. Thank You Father for God the Son, our Emmanuel, God with us. In his holy and precious name we pray, the name above all names. Amen.
