Christmas 2016: The Hope of a Child

 

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 Counselor,
Mighty God,
Everlasting Father,
Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

A child’s birth gives a family so much hope. Hope for the potential of what he or she will become. Hope of love and care. Hope of a future to extend a lineage.

The birth of Jesus gave hope for all this and eternally more, and not only to His earthly family but extended to the whole world.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3:16

“Whoever believes.” This may already be you. Or perhaps it will be you. Maybe even today.

Believes what? That Jesus is all the Bible says he is. That He, the only perfect child, would grow into a perfect man. And that man would love His people so much that He, though innocent, would die the death of an imperfect criminal.

Why die? Because the world is filled with imperfect people constantly acting against God’s commands. We are the imperfect criminals deserving capital punishment, having no future hope without the birth, life and death of this perfect child.

Why can we have eternal life? Because after 3 days Jesus exited the grave. God Himself was willing to take our punishment. Now our hope springs to life, and new life. His birth can lead to our re-birth. His death saves us from eternal death. And all He does allows us to know God now and eternally.

As Jesus fulfilled the full potential of a perfect human being, we now have hope for the love and care of God Himself, and a future as His child forever.

I pray you truly will believe, and in believing know, all the hope and promises of God delivered through the birth of Jesus.

God’s blessings to you this holiday season.
(Scripture: ESV • Photos: creationswap.com)