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Of all that Isaiah knew about Christmas, and it's a lot, maybe the most stunning thing the prophet was shown was this: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel." -- Isaiah 7:14 Isaiah knew His origin: Miraculous. Isaiah knew His identity: God. Isaiah knew His name: God with us. How blessed are we that we also know His purpose? To save us, His people, from their sins. Merry Christmas!  There are several things that Micah definitively knew about Christmas (Micah 5:2-5a). 1. It would be humble. No explanation as to why, but Bethlehem, a tiny village with no claim to fame, is where Christmas would happen. 2. The Christ would be humbled. No palace. No guards. No luxury. The One Who was born to serve God was going to be born in a backwater town. 3. The Christ would be humble. Though He was the Ruler, the True King of Israel, though He was eternal, the Everlasting One, God in human form the Christ would stoop to serve. He would not demand His homage but would shepherd His people (Micah 5:4). He would bring peace in a world of oppression and fear (Micah 5:5). And we continue to await the full fulfillment of this promise when He will bring peace on earth as it is in heaven. Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” -- Micah 5:2   Not every Christmas is joy-filled.
Not every Christmas is eagerly anticipated. Not even that first one. Jeremiah knew that Christmas would be bitter for some. "Thus says the Lord: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation and bitter weeping, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted for her children, because they are no more.” -- Jeremiah 31:15 That first Christmas, Bethlehem's infant sons were all slaughtered. It wasn't all carols and bells. This is a timely reminder to us that many approach Christmas with trepidation, sorrow, or even bitterness. Maybe even we dread the happiness of the season this year -- and that is okay. But Jeremiah didn't stay in the bitterness of the loss, because God didn't stay there. Not two verses later, Jeremiah reassures God's people: "There is hope in your future, says the Lord." "Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad." -- John 8:56 That is essentially all Abraham knew about Christmas. He knew that God had promised him that he and his family would be a blessing to the world for all peoples (Genesis 12:3 and Genesis 28:14). But Abraham did not know how this would happen or when this would happen or Who would make this happen. But Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him for righteousness (Genesis 15:6). There may be much uncertainty in our Christmas seasons this year, but may we be like Abraham who believed God and rejoiced. This Christmas, may we trust that God is faithful. Believe that He is good. And rejoice that He has demonstrated all this and so much more by sending Jesus Christ, for our present-day rescue and eternal salvation. Praise the Lord.  |
The AuthorCome with me as we grow in fellowship with each other and our Savior to whom belongs the Amazing Escape from sin and death and the Amazing Journey into glorious life. Archives
January 2026
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