Remembering Christmas

The Christmas story is a story of hope for the world. It is God’s master plan, sparked at the beginning of time when Adam and Eve broke God’s commands. “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.” (Genesis 3:15) Sin itself began its reign in the lives of man and the only recourse was a yearly sacrifice and the blood of bulls and goats. Man was and is completely powerless to save himself and though they knew not exactly who they waited for, they knew their Messiah was coming, the Emmanuel, God with us.

Surprisingly, God brought this Messiah through a virgin, Mary. Jesus was not born into wealth, he was not the son of an earthly king. He was born in stable and his first bed was a trough. His first visitors were not people of importance or influence, they were Shepherds who were dirty, smelly and decisively average. Jesus came not to bring hope to just anyone, he came to provide hope for EVERYONE (yes, even shepherds).

Jesus spent his first years on the run from King Herod, his parents far from the comfort and normalcy of their surroundings. Jesus’ earthly father was no CEO, he worked hard with hands. As a carpenter he did not have power tools, he had callouses and scars from his labor. His parents were faithful to their God and raised Jesus attending their prayer time and synagogue. Jesus was raised in an average family, by average parents. Yet, his birth is the most significant in all of history.

Jesus brought hope. He was the messiah, the savior of the world, his birth was the hope for the people who had waited desperately for their savior. Yet, he did not bring about the salvation they had expected. Many anticipated their Messiah to rise up and reign in this present world. Yet, the Lord knew what we needed, not earthly king, but the blood of sacrifice sufficient to cover our sins. He knows what we need and how best to provide that for us.

During this Holiday season we must not forget the hope of Christmas. It is the anticipation of the returning King, it is trusting in the Savior who knows our needs and it is the preparation for our eternal life. Enjoy this Christmas!