For many, the
Christmas season is just parties, gifts, decorations, and time off
work. But for Christians this time of year is a happy reminder of
the hope we have because of Jesus.
The birth of Jesus brought hope—to the person out of work, to the struggling single mother, to the dying believer. Even if you're just slogging your way through the disappointments of life, when you have Jesus, you have hope.
And He's not a false hope, a childish fairy tale that we wish will have a happy ending. It is more than believing an old man will give us gifts. It is more than a feeling of love and goodwill with snow gently falling. When Christ rose from the dead, that ended the argument—Period!
Our hope in Jesus is solid. Christmas is a renewal of that hope. It reconfirms it for us if our vision has grown dim. It was settled that long ago night when Christ was born, so we don't have to doubt any more. Jesus is the fulfillment of our hope, our deepest longings come true.
Ellen White tells us, When you look to Calvary it is not to quiet your soul in the nonperformance of duty, not to compose yourself to sleep, but to create faith in Jesus, faith that will work, purifying the soul from the slime of selfishness. When we lay hold of Christ by faith, our work has just begun. Every man has corrupt and sinful habits that must be overcome by vigorous warfare. Every soul is required to fight the fight of faith. If one is a follower of Christ, he cannot be sharp in deal, he cannot be hardhearted, devoid of sympathy. He cannot be coarse in his speech. He cannot be full of pomposity and self-esteem. He cannot be overbearing, nor can he use harsh words, and censure and condemn. (MS 16, 1890)
When we experience the hope of Jesus birth, we want to share the true Christmas Spirit. The true Christmas spirit will give us the desire to do for others.
“While it is true that our busy activities will not in themselves ensure salvation, it is also true that faith which unites us to Christ will stir the soul to activity.” (Ibid.)
It's not the business of Christmas that brings us the joy of the season. It is the fact that Jesus love is in us and that He wanted to live with us that makes the season one of Hope and Joy. Now we can wish others, “Merry Christmas.” It's the joy of IMMANUEL, God with us.
I
recently heard one of the new Christmas carols on our Christian radio
station. It's called, “How
Many Kings?”
It's a beautiful story of how God gave His Son for us. Who else would
give up their Son to save a world in sin?
The
chorus says,
How
many kings step down from their thrones?
How
many lords have abandoned their homes?
How
many greats have become the least for me?
How
many gods have poured out their hearts
to
romance a world that was torn all apart?
How
many fathers gave up their sons for me?”
You can listen to
the song at this link.
Let's
pray that we can understand more completely that love which caused
God to step down from His throne. He
abandoned
His Heavenly home to become the least for me. God poured out His
heart to romance a world that was torn all apart.
He
is the only one who did that for me...All for me!
Celebrate
the spirit of hope and this Christmas season.
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