Think on These Things: Positive thoughts in a negative world…
Some say the story of Christmas begins with the birth of the Christ child, but here’s the rest of the story…
Long before Jesus was born, there was something wonderful: the promise of His coming and the promise of redemption for mankind. Over 300 prophecies were fulfilled through the birth of Jesus, His life, His ministry, His death, and His resurrection.
Psalm 130:7-8 told us, “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with Him is full redemption. He Himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.”
Jeremiah 23:4-5 said a day was coming when God would raise up a king who would reign wisely and do what was right. His name would be “The Lord Our Righteousness.”
Isaiah 11:2-5 said the Spirit of the Lord would rest on Him, and the spirit of wisdom, understanding, counsel, power, knowledge, fear of the Lord. He would not judge by what He saw or heard, but with righteousness.
Isaiah 9:6-7 told us, “Unto us a Child will be born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be called: Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace.”
Not just the promise of Christ’s coming was revealed in Scripture, but the details of how it would come to be. He would be from the tribe of Judah (Genesis 49:10/Luke 3:3). He would be a descendant of Abraham (Genesis 12:3/Matthew 1:1), Isaac (Genesis 17:19/Luke 3:24), Jacob (Numbers 24:17/ Matthew 1:2), Jesse (Isaiah 11:10/Romans 15:12), and David (Jeremiah 23:5-6/ Matthew 1:1).
He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:11/ Luke 1:26-31) in Bethlehem (Micah 5: 2/Luke 2:4-7), worshipped by shepherds (Psalm 72:9/ Luke 2:8-15), and honored by kings (Psalm 72:10, 17/Isaiah 60:3/ Matthew 2:1-11). The slaughter of children (Jeremiah 31:15/Matthew 2:16-18) and flight to Egypt (Hosea 11:1/Matthew 2:14-15) were foretold as well.
These lists can go on and on and on. So the birth of Jesus was truly a miraculous event!
I love Christmas. I love the thought of jolly old St. Nick, stockings hung with care, sleigh bells jingling in the snow, trees twinkling with lights, halls decked with holly, colorful presents lovingly wrapped, a snowman coming to life, Christmas card greetings, kissing under the mistletoe, and a red-nosed reindeer. I laugh when I hear “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer”—although it’s not quite as funny now that I am a grandma. I even secretly wish Santa would slip a sable (faux sable, if I want to be politically correct) under the tree for me. It all adds to the festivities!
However, all of that can’t compare to the gift Jesus brought—the redemption of mankind. We must never forget that without Christ there is really no “Christ”mas. So this Christmas season as you sing your favorite carols, may you remember the birth of Jesus. Because here’s the rest of the story…only in honoring Christ can we truly partake of the genuine joy in celebrating!
*****
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” ~Philippians 4:8 (KJV)
