Closing Thoughts on the Christmas Story
As the Christmas season winds up and moves to the rearview mirror, we anticipate the start of a new year. You may wonder, what will 2024 bring? I distinctly remember many people celebrating the end of 2020 and lamenting that the coming year, 2021, had to be better. After the misery and travail of the COVID pandemic, most thought that the next year had to bring improved opportunities. In 2020, many people lived in fear of sickness and death. The pandemic of 2020 brought more problems than just sickness though. There were major disruptions in nearly every sector of life. So, what came after 2020? The last several years have been anything but easy. Political chaos, financial upheaval, historic inflation, war that threatens to escalate worldwide, all of these issues (and more) prompt people to ask if there is any hope for the future. To that question, the answer is yes!
The hope our world desperately seeks and craves is found in the message of Christmas. However, the message of Christmas has been lost on many people. There is a false message that masquerades as the genuine Christmas message. I’m not against jolly old Kris Kringle. I love the lights, the trees, and the holiday music. Let's raise a mug of hot chocolate and celebrate the season, but we cannot forget that Christmas is about Jesus.
As we wave farewell to 2023, I am reminded that ’23 is the 60th anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech. Like today, 1963 was a time of difficulty and upheaval (as was much of the 60’s). Dr. King’s speech referenced a “stone of hope” being cut out of a mountain of despair. This was a reference to Daniel 2. In Daniel 2 the King of Babylon had a dream. This dream was a divine vision of the future. In this dream, the pagan kingdoms of this world were smashed by a small rock that was cut out of a mountain. This rock was cut out of the mountain of despair “not by human hands.” This rock of hope grows into a mountain of justice and peace that will fill the Earth. This is a prophecy of God’s Kingdom, the Church. The amazing book of Daniel not only predicts the coming of the Church, but also of the Messiah. Jesus had a favorite nickname. He called himself the “Son of Man.” This name was a direct reference from Daniel’s prediction and description of the coming Messiah.
There is no greater hope possible than to believe that Jesus is Immanuel, “God with us.” The message of Christmas is that God is a loving God who promises to redeem lost mankind. I have often used the phrase: “God’s love is not based on how good we are. Rather, God’s love is based on how good He is!” The message of Christmas declares that God is the great lover of your soul and my soul. It is one thing to say you love someone, it is another thing to demonstrate that love. God has shown us His great love, mercy and grace.
As we leave the Christmas season, let me remind you that the Easter season is not too far away. Just as the Christmas message is found in Jesus, so is the Easter message. There is no greater hope possible than to believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised from the grave. Jesus sacrificed His life that we might have new life. Jesus proved He had the power to save us by declaring ahead of time that He would be killed and then rise from the dead.
As 2023 will soon move into the history books, I do not claim that I know what will face us in 2024. What I do know is that God is faithful. God has proven that He can be trusted and that we should follow Him. There are storms ahead and demonic powers threaten this world, but we can have a solid and joyful hope if we walk with Jesus. Keep looking up!