Christmas time. A time to be merry and full of joy. A time to admire the twinkling lights, shiny gifts, and enjoy time with loved ones. A momentary distraction from the bitterness of life, the heaviness of our struggles, and the weight of our responsibilities. The truth is that the highly commercialized Christmas is a false reality. 

The reality is that we all are broken. We all have our own share of struggles, suffering, sin, and sickness. No matter how much we try to distract ourselves with the festivities of the holidays, no matter how happy and content we try to feel, the truth is that nothing on this Earth will ever bring us true peace and joy. 

However, it doesn’t just end there. There is someone who can bring us true peace and joy, and that person is Jesus Christ. Many of us know the miraculous story of Jesus’ birth – the virgin Mary, the child in the manger, the shepherds and wisemen, the star – but oftentimes, we fail to recognize the momentous meaning behind it. It fulfilled prophecies that had been made centuries before and was a manifestation of God’s promise and love. As Isaiah 9:6 prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

The baby in the manger is not just a story, but was the beginning of God’s salvation plan for us. Baby Jesus would grow up to live a blameless and holy life and die on the cross, delivering mankind from the clutches of sin and Satan once and for all. 

It is in this we can have joy: the good news that we are no longer slaves to the suffering and sickness of this world but are now children of God, enjoying this relationship we have with Him, spreading His name, and looking forward to the coming of the new earth! With that I say, Merry Christmas! Praise the Lord! 
 

Joy to the World, the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King!