Christmas is almost here. We have been preparing for weeks. Many times, the actual event doesn’t live up to the excitement we feel. For many, holidays, and Christmas in particular, are very tough. We long for things to be the way they were years ago, or we miss loved ones who are not with us this year. Sometimes, the preparations themselves add layers of stress and anxiety to our lives.
Let’s think back for a moment to the actual reason we celebrate. The birth of that baby in Bethlehem was the culmination of centuries of preparation. Isaiah the prophet predicted the event in detail 700 years before it happened. He told the people of Israel that this new king would come from the same family as their favorite king, David. “There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of its roots.” Isaiah 11: 1 NKJV
After several kings who had not been good leaders, Isaiah’s description of the coming king appealed to the people. “His delight is in the fear of the Lord, and he shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, nor decide by the hearing of His ears; but with righteousness He shall judge the poor and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.” Isaiah 11: 3-4 NKJV
For the next seven centuries, believers anticipated the coming of the new king, probably reading Isaiah’s words often. Of course, many probably questioned God’s timing. Why was it taking so long? But, when Jesus was born, the shepherds who witnessed the announcement of the angels believed. They couldn’t wait to get to the stable to see this newborn baby. Then, they joyously spread the news to everyone they encountered. The long- awaited king was here!
Three very learned men also believed. They had heard the prophecies and when the amazing star appeared, they knew that God was heralding something very important. The time was here for Isaiah’s predictions to be fulfilled. They traveled faithfully to worship the long-awaited child.
It could be said that King Herod believed as well. However, his reaction to this news was anxiety, rather than anticipation. The arrival of a new king was a threat to his power and position. So, he set out to kill all of the baby boys born during this time.
With the luxury of looking back at these events, we can easily see how the pieces came together. Jesus is indeed the long awaited Messiah.
Now we are living in another period of anticipation. Jesus told us he is coming back! We don’t know how or when exactly. That is God’s plan, not ours. But because the scriptures demonstrate that God always keeps His promises, we wait. In anticipation. As the writer of Hebrews puts it: “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 NKJV
If all the preparations for Christmas have not erased your sadness, you should realize one important thing. All of the decorations, parties and presents don’t measure up to the greatest gift we received on that night in Bethlehem. That baby was sent as the culmination of God’s plan for our salvation. Jesus is proof that God keeps his promises, no matter how long it takes.
My prayer for you this Christmas is that you will be filled with His peace. God keeps His promises, and He has promised to be with us through happy times and sad. “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 NKJV
We live in anticipation of his latest promise. John reports in the last chapter of his Revelation, “He who testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!” Revelation 21:20 NKJV
Photo by Danny Lines on Unsplash
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