ODB: Hope In Him
December 17, 2011
The key word of Christmas is “Immanuel”— God with us!
READ: Isaiah 53
The virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. —Isaiah 7:14
As we drove home from a Christmas party one evening, my family and I approached a small country church nestled between glittering snowbanks. From a distance, I could see its holiday display. Strings of white lights formed the capital letters: H-O-P-E. The sight of that word shining in the darkness reminded me that Jesus is, and always has been, the hope of humankind.
Before Jesus was born, people hoped for the Messiah—the One who would shoulder their sin and intercede with God on their behalf (Isa. 53:12). They expected the Messiah to arrive through a virgin who would bear a son in Bethlehem and would name Him Immanuel, “God with us” (7:14). The night Jesus was born, their hope was fulfilled (Luke 2:1-14).
Although we’re no longer waiting for Jesus in the form of an infant, He is still the source of our hope. We watch for His second coming (Matt. 24:30); we anticipate the heavenly home He is preparing for us (John 14:2); and we dream of living with Him in His celestial city (1 Thess. 4:16). As Christians, we can look forward to the future because the baby in the manger was, and still is, “the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope” (1 Tim. 1:1).
— Jennifer Benson Schuldt
Source: Our Daily Bread
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On the flip side, the night that Christ was born was not as peaceful as “silent night”. Apparantly, there were people who want to take His life, defenseless and helpless. But praise be to God, God’s plan was not thwarted. What an adventure of escape with God’s timing intervention!!
All the more I should place my trust in Him who rescued from darkness and promised to lead me if I am willing to trust and obey Him despite of threats. It will be a great adventure knowing that He will journey with me. I am not sure about you but I count it a privilege.