Remember These Christmas Truths as We Enter the New Year
John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” We do not work our way to God, but in Christ, God comes to us. The God who makes His home among us is the God who is with us, Emmanuel.
Malachi was written around 440-400 B.C. The people were longing to hear from God. In the Christmas story we see God turning His attention to His promises and acting on them to fulfill His Word. God has not forgotten us.
The Son of God became a man. He entered our world with all of its brokenness, sin and suffering. Jesus can truly say, “I get it. I understand.” No matter what you’re going through, you can know you’re not alone. God understands.
Why did Jesus come? The Apostle John gives a rather unexpected answer to this. In I John 3:8 John says, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work.” God is at work in the darkness.
In Luke 2:10, the angel announced to the shepherds – “good news of great joy that will be for all people.” The good news is that we have a Savior, Jesus Christ. God came in the person of Jesus. He came into our world, lived among us, died for our sins and rose from the dead. Jesus offers us the free gift of salvation. God has good news of great joy for all people.
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This is why we give gifts at Christmas because we remember that God is a gracious giver. The greatest gift God can give is Himself, and that’s what He did at Christmas. He gave His one and only Son to save us from our sin. God graciously gives and graciously saves.
The birth of Jesus fulfilled many long-awaited promises to Abraham, David and other prophets. Matthew 1:22 says, “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet.” Christmas shows us that God is always faithful to fulfill His promises. God always keeps His promises.
Prayer – Lord, thank you for being a God I can trust. You are faithful to fulfill your promises. When I grow impatient, help me wait on you in faith and hope. Amen.
Hebrews 9:28 – “Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.”
Blessings to all for a hope-filled New Year!
By the Rev. Tommy Herndon
Images: Carson Arias, Jason Betz & Joel Muniz, courtesy of Unsplash
