Christmas Past
Galatians 4:4-5 “But when the set time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”
Each Christmas we see new renditions of A Christmas Carol. In the story, Ebenezer Scrooge is taken back to his past in order that he might change the path of his future.
Sometimes we also need to look at our past in order to change the direction of our present path. The roads we have walk down, the choices we have made,the trials we have been through and the experiences of our lives are all part of who we are and have become.
At times however, we focus on our past and decisions,mistakes and failure so much that we cannot move forward.
This time of year we look back to the story of a baby who came so that we might have a future-an eternal future. This baby, this Emanuel, this God with us, came to bring us hope. What we could never do by the Law of Moses, Jesus did for us when He came to dwell in human form. He lived a sinless life, suffered a cruel death and experienced the wonder of resurrection.
Nothing in our lives happens to us without His faithful fingers of love. This is a very hard thing to understand. So many times the bad is unbearable but to think that a loving God would allow it only adds to the pain and grief. Jesus knows, he understands, he went through things so horrible so that we would could have a future and a hope.
Jesus came as a baby, lived among us, His life has purpose! Hebrews 12:2-3 tells us that Jesus allowed all this to happen in His life because of the joy that was set before Him. Jesus endured the cross,the shame and the scorn in order to redeem man from his sinful state. Jesus is in the business of redeeming all things. He redeems the time the locusts have eaten away. He redeems souls of those who will come to Him. He redeems relationships!
We have hope in the one who came in the flesh. Jesus dwells with us. He never leaves us.
The miracle birth of a baby always gives us hope of a future. Through Christ we can have a future and a hope.
As we look back at one of the greatest events in history, may we look forward to the day when this same Jesus who came as a baby in a manger will one day return to take us with Him to the place He has been preparing for us.
There is more to come. Celebrate Christmas with your future in mind.
Joy to the World
Pentatonix Joy to the World
Merry Christmas
