Bible/Opinion/Holidays

By Summer Lane

Photo: Deposit, Editorial Use Only

Sometimes it feels as if the world is on the verge of collapse. With the economy in shambles and various places around the world erupting into war, it brings to mind Jesus’s words in Matthew 24, where He said, “You will hear wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom” (v. 6-7a).

Amidst such troubling times, there has never been such a robust need for the joy and hope of Christmas! Restore peace within your household this holiday season by clinging to these three powerful Biblical truths this year.

John 1:14

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

When Jesus came to Earth, the Word became flesh. He who made us came and dwelled among us and lived with us – only to be killed by the very same. Despite the cruelty and wickedness of man, Jesus died for all of humanity. His sacrifice secured the salvation of those who choose to confess that He is Lord and repent from their sins. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me,” Jesus said (Matt. 16:24).

We give gifts to each other on Christmas as a reminder of the ultimate gift: Jesus, God’s only son. What a wonderful season of celebration!

Luke 2:20

“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.”

I was just talking with my daughter about how when Jesus was born, the angels appeared to shepherds tending their sheep at night! How incredible! They didn’t appear to kings or queens – to the elite of society. Instead, they proclaimed the good news of the birth of Christ to shepherds, who were pretty far down on the totem pole as far as social status went at that time, culturally.

I think there’s a wonderful message here: Jesus came for everyone. Nobody is out of reach. He loves us all. His love is perfect and unending. His mercy is eternal. He is just, righteous, and true. And Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect on the miracle of his equal love for all people of all nations.

Isaiah 7:14

“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call His name Immanuel.”
Another element that we can celebrate during the Christmas season is the fact that the birth of Christ was the fulfillment of thousands of years of Biblical prophecy! Isaiah pointedly prophesized about a coming Savior. In fact, the prophecy begins in the Garden of Eden, when God pledges, “And I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your descendants and her Descendant. He will crush your head, and you will bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15, American Translation).

Christ’s human life (his birth, death, and resurrection) is the fulfillment of the Gospel message that came after its initial proclamation in Genesis, a moment sometimes referred to as the “Protoevanglium.”

Does it get any better than that? Get up and celebrate – the Redeemer has come to save us! Immanuel, God is with us!

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Summer Lane is the #1 bestselling author of 30 books, including the hit Collapse Series and Resurrection Series. She is an experienced journalist and columnist who reports on news within the U.S. and abroad. She is the Associate Editor for Right Side Broadcasting Network. Additionally, she analyzes politics and policies on The Write Revolution.

Summer is also a mom and wife who enjoys rural country living, herding cats, and gardening. She is passionate about writing on women’s issues, parenting, and politics from a theologically-grounded perspective that points readers to the good news of the gospel.

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