The Christmas season of 2023 is upon us and holiday festivities with friends and family are in full swing. I am so glad that we live in Canada. We are blessed with material abundance in this country and have so many things to be thankful for.
With heaviness, my mind reflects on the turbulent state of our world’s affairs; the wars being fought in Israel and Ukraine have dominated news headlines over the past year. There are so many all over the world who do not experience the same comforts and provisions that we enjoy. Yet even though we live in a land of peace and provision, many struggle with restlessness and hopelessness – with a deep-seated feeling that there must be more.
The hopelessness that so many people experience day to day is a universal symptom of our brokenness and need for a restored relationship with God. It is spiritual deadness that we are experiencing. Like the ancient Christmas carol, Oh Holy Night suggests, “Long lay the world, in sin and error pining….” But God had an answer for this wanting, this longing in our hearts. He provided a way for hope, peace, joy, love, and salvation.
More than 700 years before the birth of Jesus Christ, the prophet Isaiah predicted that on a certain future day, God would come down from heaven into the world that he created. Out of love for humanity, the eternal creator of all things would clothe himself in human flesh and be born as a man. He would come to show us what God was like with skin on, to intervene and take the penalty of the sin of this planet upon his shoulders. Jesus came into this world to bring forgiveness and eternal life to whoever would place their trust in Him.
In Isaiah 9:6 it was prophesied, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Christmas has wonderful traditions surrounding it, but the heart of Christmas is not about having a great family dinner, spinning tales of mythical elves at the North Pole, or Santa Claus. Neither is it about sparkling lights and decorations, or opening gifts from loved ones under a tree. The true message of Christmas is that our Heavenly Father sent Jesus into this world as His Son to be born as a human being and to be our savior.
God came to us as his gift the very first Christmas morning. This is why Jesus is sometimes referred to as “Emmanuel”, which means “God with us.” Friends, the truth is that Jesus came into the world he created, and gifted himself to us as a human baby. He came to rescue people from spiritual darkness and to bring light and life to whoever would trust and follow him. All who trust in Jesus will be forgiven and know the peace that only a right relationship with God can bring.
This is the true meaning of Christmas and the truth that sets us free. I pray that each one who reads this article will recognize and receive Jesus as God’s precious gift this Christmas!
Pastor Clint Lange
Hillside Community Church
