For many homes around the world, Christmas 2020 has been canceled. The tree with all its decorations would remain in the basement, there wouldn’t be any stockings stuffed with candy hanging by the fireplace, and the big dinners with the bigger hugs won’t be the highlight of the yuletide this year.
There would be no Christmas cheer, for the big smiles and hearty laugh shave faded behind heavy, grieving hearts.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel”
– Isaiah 7:14 NIV
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
This cancelation of Christmas has little to do with restrictions and more to do with people’s personal experiences with the biggest grinch the world has seen in recent times–COVID-19. Many have gone through a challenging time this year. Marriages have been shaken to the core, finances have been tested like never before, relationships have been shattered, and many have slipped into depression.
For Christians, however, we will always have a reason to celebrate Christmas. Over 2,000 years ago, the birth of Jesus in a lowly manger brought redemption to the world. Through His birth, death, and resurrection, the world got to experience love like never before. The life of Jesus is bigger than any one of us. God thought of us first and sent His Son to save us. In turn, we should put Him first.
God with us “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14 NIV).
700 years after prophesying about Jesus’ birth, Isaiah’s prophecy was fulfilled when Mary, a virgin, conceived and gave birth to Jesus. The word ‘Immanuel’ is Hebrew for ‘God with us.’ This wasn’t just God in spirit but now in flesh and blood.
Jesus’ coming didn’t only bring us salvation through His death and resurrection, He also brought us healing, deliverance, peace, joy, comfort and so much more. The Bible tells us He is now seated at the right hand of the Father but His Spirit continues His work in us on earth.
God’s greatest gift Jesus is God’s greatest gift to mankind. Everything we will ever need in our lives is wrapped up in the person of Jesus. He is the reason for the season and deserves our praise no matter what. When we praise Him, we also attract His blessings.
Even in the midst of trouble and life’s storms, Jesus remains our peace. We can always rely on Him. In your troubles and in your struggles, He is your peace. The storm may rock your boat, but when your mind is on Jesus, you will experience perfect peace.
You may have had negative experiences this year, but that doesn’t make it a bad year. King Jesus is bigger than the pandemic and every other challenge in your life. He says in John 16:33, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
A time of reconciliation The spirit of peace cannot rest upon you if you are harboring a spirit of unforgiveness. This is also the season of reconciliation and new beginnings. In reconciliation, you carry two spirits: one is the spirit of repentance for yourself and the other is the spirit of forgiveness for others.
Remember, Jesus is at the core of the season. You may not be whipping out the Christmas tree this year or having a big, fancy dinner, but you don’t have to spend the rest of the year in despair either. You have so many blessings in Christ Jesus. He’s your comfort and joy; joy that the world cannot give and nothing can ever steal. Be of good cheer and rejoice, for your best days are ahead of you.
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