Christmas Hope

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a (feed trough) manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. Luke 2:7 NKJV.

Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ had a fairly ordinary human beginning. Being born in a stable among all the animals, and then laid to sleep in a feed trough. I can’t imagine new mothers of today being that pleased about that for their own first-born. But though His earthly start wasn’t with fan-fare, glitz and glitter, His earthly finish was one which has split history ever since.

There has never been and never will be again, a human life who has impacted the world in such an influential way, as that one life, Jesus Christ. No one person who ever walked on planet earth has had such a profound, world-wide and enduring impact on humankind as Jesus Christ. Kenneth Scott Latourette wrote in his magnum opus, The History of the Expansion of Christianity.

No life who ever lived on this planet has been so influential in the affairs of men.

  • Through it (His life) millions have had their inner conflicts resolved in progressive victory over their baser impulses.
  • By (His life) it millions have been sustained in the greatest tragedies of life and have come through radiant.
  • Through (His life) it hundreds of millions have been lifted from illiteracy and ignorance, and have been placed upon the road of growing intellectual freedom, and of control over their physical environment.
  • It (His life) has done more to allay the physical ill of disease and famine than any other impulse known to man.
  • It (His life) has emancipated millions from chattel slavery and millions of other from thraldom to vice.
  • It (His life) has protected tens of millions from exploitation by their fellows.
  • It (His life) has been the most fruitful source of movements to lessen the horrors of war, and to put the relations of men and nations on the basis of justice and peace.

What Jesus did no one has ever done before. No one has brought such wide-reaching change upon the earth as He did. No one has ever made promises to their people as He did.

I always enjoy this season, and my thoughts return to the story of our Saviour’s humble entry into our world. Nativity scenes remind me of much more than just His lowly beginnings on earth. I think of His growing into maturity. Of His ministry and miracles. I think of His words and doctrine He left for us. I think of His final days, His crucifixion, His resurrection and His ascension.

But this year, the thought that fills my heart and mind is the fact that no one has ever brought such hope to the world as He has. The days we are living in are certainly days of hope-lessness for so many of the world’s people.

Looking at a Nativity scene I thought of this verse.

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NKJV.

Hope is something we all have a measure of and we put it in something. Some put it in their career prospects. Some put it in their investments. Some put it in their talents, their abilities or their education, or the next crop. All of those things are good, but they do not provide the depth and breadth of the hope that God brings to us.

I think Christmas is a time of incredible hope. I mean look at all the promises Jesus left with us!

  • That whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. John 3:15-17
  • But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. John 14:25-26
  • Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

And there’s many more.

There can hardly be a more relevant verse for us at this time in history, and at this time of year. Because we all need hope. More so than ever before.

When you put the words of Scripture into a chart like this, it helps us know more about the goodness of God and what He has done for us.

Joy and peace. Are they not two things we sing a lot about at Christmas time? But not only that, because God is the God of hope, He fills us with joy and peace as we abound, or burst, bulge and brim with hope. The world only has temporary hope. But Jesus is the God of hope.

My friend, you may remember a time in your life when you were without God. The Bible makes it clear what that is like.

That at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. Ephesians 2:12 NKJV.

Having no hope … without God.

Here’s the thing: No God = no Hope.  Know God = know hope. Without God in our life there is no hope. Ever. But, with God there is hope. Someone once put it this way: Without Christ, it is a hopeless end. With Christ, it is an endless hope. (Exact source unknown).

The nativity scene reminds me of these things.

And here’s another truth I’m reminded of every Christmas.

  • Without God, the last is always the worst.
  • With God, the best is always yet to come.
  • Without God, this is as good as it will get.
  • With God, this is the worst it will get.

That is the truth! This world of evil, violence and rejection of God, is the worst it will ever get for those who belong to Jesus.

The joy and hope I have, is from something, Someone, deep within me, and this joy and hope outlasts the circumstances that come against me. Unpleasant circumstances (understatement) come against me, but the joy and hope I have are still there! Because God’s word endures, because God is in His word, because when we have God’s word, we also have Him. He is in His word. He is His word. And He who is hope, is in me!

Thank you for being a part of the Brief Word family all around the world. Wendy and I pray that you and your loved ones will know the hope, and the peace and joy that Christ is to us at this season, and all through the year. We love you, and pray God’s best blessings upon you and your family.

Image by Arnie Bragg from Pixabay

Issue #153 Christmas Hope DECEMBER 2024. Brief Word will come out about every month. Feel free to forward, photocopy and/or post this Brief Word to your Friends. You may be the very means God uses to impact someone’s life with the reality of the love of Jesus and the life changing power of God’s Word. If you wish to be on our regular E-Mailing list, please use the SUBSCRIBE form . If you would prefer to receive this E-Mail in Plain Text, please inform us. If you no longer wish to receive the Brief Word, you can unsubscribe at any time. Check out www.goodwords.nz for free articles, archive copies of Brief Word and other resources.