In the eighth century BC, the Jewish prophet Isaiah wrote these words:
‘For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.’ Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)
The story of Christmas is about a child, born in a stable. But this is not just any child. This is God’s son, who, the Bible tells us, was there at the beginning, before the creation of the world.
‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.’ John 1:1-2 (ESV)
It is a humble birth. The mother and father, Mary and Joseph, make do. There is no room in the inn.
It is a miraculous birth. God enters our world as a baby. He reveals the depth of His love for fallen humanity. We sing, ‘Love came down at Christmas.’
God’s love. Vast, immeasurable, dependable. A holy love, pure, untainted, personal.
Christian author, Henri Nouwen, reminds us that it is always God who takes the initiative, who reaches down, who draws near, who makes known. He says,
‘God did not wait for us to love Him before He began loving us. No, God loved us first and that is the great mystery of His love.’
The mystery of Christmas is that God chose to come to us, a light in the darkness.
Our world needs God’s love. Those who suffer, who fear what tomorrow might bring, who feel lost and alone, need to know God’s love. God’s love comforts, heals, and restores. God’s love makes us bold and courageous in the face of hatred and misunderstanding. God’s love shows us how to love.
Tim Keller was a prominent Christian leader and teacher. He says,
‘The only love that will not disappoint you is the one that cannot change, that cannot be lost, that is not based on the ups and downs of life or how well you live. It is something not even death can take away from you. God’s love is the only thing like that.’
The great hymn writer Charles Wesley penned these words.
‘Love divine, all loves excelling
Joy of Heav’n to Earth come down
Fix in us thy humble dwelling
All thy faithful mercies crown.’
The message of Christmas is that God loves us. But it does not end there.
Such is the transformative nature of God’s love that God chooses us to be His representatives in the world, to serve His objectives, to further His agenda.
Mary is chosen to give birth to the Christ-child.
Joseph is chosen to be a husband to Mary and a father to the newborn child.
The shepherds are chosen to receive news of the birth , to see the baby born to be king, and to tell others the good news.
The wise men are chosen to follow the star to a town called Bethlehem and offer their gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
People whose hearts and minds are changed by the power of God’s love are chosen to bear witness to the love of Christ, the light of Christ, and the life of Christ. They are humble people, attentive people, submissive people, people who never question the wisdom of God.
Our mission is to bring hope to a despairing world.
Amanda Held Opelt is a Christian author who writes about the importance of hope. She says,
‘Hope was not really made for the joyful, the certain, the celebratory. Hope was made for the hungry. It thrives in the darkness. It is necessary precisely because of uncertainty, grief, and longing.
Hope sings the songs of both lament and praise, harmonising the reality of our present pain with the yearned for future. Yes, hope is that thing with feathers. But it is as heavy as an anchor, ancient as the earth, enduring as divine love. Do not give up on hope. Feed it. Nurture it.’
Hope For Tomorrow 