Comfort and Hope for Christmas
“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
Christmas is a celebration of eternal hope. Yet it has been secularized for a long time. It is often called the “holiday” season, where schools get a “winter” break or radio stations play “holiday” songs with only an occasional reference to Jesus’ birth. When Jesus is taken out of it, eternal hope goes out, too. It just becomes a festive time that comes and goes. Yet no matter how hard secular society tries, it can never cancel the truth or the eternal hope of Christmas.
The truth still remains that “…she [Mary] brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.” (Luke 2:7) The truth also remains that this baby was God in the flesh: “…and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Matthew 1:23)
It is also true that an angel appeared to frightened shepherds and told them, “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:10-12)
It is also still true that Jesus would grow up to be “…a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:” (Isaiah 53:3) Yet He was a man “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:” (1 Peter 2:22) The fact also stands that Jesus was falsely arrested, tried, convicted, and executed by means of crucifixion. As He hung on the cross, He took all our sins upon Himself: “…the LORD [God the Father] hath laid on him [God the Son, Jesus] the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)
The fact also stands that “…Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8), was buried, and rose again! “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;” (Revelation 1:18)
Finally, the wonderful, eternal truth stands that Jesus forgives sins, saves souls, and changes lives for everyone who receives Him as Saviour: “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:” (John 1:12) The hope Jesus gives is not a questionable or temporary hope but a sure, eternal hope.
Yet Jesus’ birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection happened long ago, and all the witnesses have long ago died. How do we know it all happened? Because it’s documented! When a cop makes an arrest, he or she makes a report and documents what they did.
The Bible is also documentation that God Himself inspired: “For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake at they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21) In fact, Peter said Scripture was not only as reliable as eyewitness testimony but MORE reliable: “We have also a MORE sure word of prophecy;” (2 Peter 1:19, capitals added)
God didn’t love people back then more than us: “For there is no respect of persons with God.” (Romans 2:11) God would not leave us with no means of knowing about Jesus. God gave us Scripture to tell us the story of Jesus, the story of eternal comfort and eternal hope. If you want to know how to be sure of heaven by receiving Jesus as your personal Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 12/20/2022
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822