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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. – Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV
The usual activities of December now are in full swing, decorations, parties, family gatherings, gift shopping, and seasonal movies and television programs. The Bible passage is warmly read on Christmas cards or frequently heard in church services. While we read and hear it, with all the busyness of the season, we often don’t pause to worship in response.
One of my favorite evangelists of all time is George Whitefield, who was a key figure in the First Great Awakening in the America colonies during the early 1700s. In a sermon entitled “The True Way of Keeping Christmas,” he said,
What, shall we not remember the birth of our Jesus? Shall we yearly celebrate the birth of our temporal king, and shall that of the King of kings be quite forgotten? Shall that only, which ought to be had chiefly in remembrance, be quite forgotten? God forbid! No, my dear brethren, let us celebrate and keep this festival of our church, with joy in our hearts: let the birth of a Redeemer, which redeemed us from sin, from wrath, from death, from hell, be always remembered; may this Saviour’s love never be forgotten! But may we sing forth all His love and glory as long as life shall last here, and through an endless eternity in the world above!
The failing of Whitefield’s day, and the common failing for believers in our day, is to focus on the temporal and neglect the eternal. Christmas 2024 will come and go quickly. Soon a new year will be before us, then the months will pass, and another holiday season will unfold. The Incarnation, however, is uniquely historical and eternal in nature. The beloved disciple tells us in 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. The eternal Word of God became a man. The angel said to Joseph regarding Mary’s unexpected pregnancy, “…Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21
So, this Christmas season, may we first and foremost worship Jesus. Jesus is Prince of Peace. He is lasting tranquility for a war-torn world. He is reconciliation for estranged family and friends. He is stability and purpose for a society struggling with turmoil and futility.
Most of all, Jesus is a Redeemer from sins that alienate us from God, subject us to wrath, and destine us for Hell. Apart from Jesus, we simply have no hope for this life or for the next. With Jesus, we have hope in this life that springs into all eternity.
As the old hymn says,
Sinners, wrung with true repentance, doomed for guilt to endless pains Justice now revokes the sentence, Mercy calls you; break your chains.
Though an Infant now we view Him, He shall fill His Father’s throne, Gather all the nations to Him; every knee shall then bow down:
All creation, join in praising God, the Father, Spirit, Son, Evermore your voices raising to th’ eternal Three in One.
Come and worship, come and worship, worship Christ, the newborn King.
With a shepherd’s heart,
Pastor David
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