Advent - Christmas Day
For thousands of years, people have asked the question, “Who is Jesus?” Many people have tried to answer this question: historians, authors, skeptics, teachers, rockstars, celebrities, kings, and more. Sometimes for good reasons, and sometimes for bad, this question drives many to seek the answer in many different places and ways.
Each of us has been faced with this question. Each of us probably have an answer. Each of us should have an answer, because there is not a more important question.
Over the last four weeks of Advent we have spent time each Sunday talking about who Jesus is, how He brings Hope to the hopeless, Faith to the faithless, Joy to the joyless, and Love to those seeking love. We have looked at the Christmas story, seen the mighty hand of God at work throughout history to work in countless people’s lives to craft a genealogy of sinners saved by their hope in His saving grace. We have seen God work mightily in young Joseph and Mary to give them the faith to do the hard things and prepare the way for His coming. We have seen God call to even the most calloused workers of the occult through mighty signs and wonders to come and joyfully provide gifts and honor to the young Savior Jesus. And we have seen God work even through the horrors of an evil sinful man taking his fear and anger out on the innocent and helpless to deliver His son to safety and prepare Him for the ultimate saving sacrifice of Love.
All of this is amazing, and worth our time. But do not let the familiar truths of the Advent season pass you by without taking stock of your own life. Have you answered the question? It is the most important question that you will ever answer. The only question that truly matters. Who is Jesus? Is He Lord and Savior in your life, or is he a nice comfortable story about a baby to bookend your family holiday?
Church, we live in a time of intense darkness and oppression, made all the more insidious because our lives are so easy. Distraction, depression, and desire are constantly screaming at you for your time and attention. Take heart. Deliverance may seem far off, but it is not. Just as Jesus came once to a world in darkness, He is coming again.
Hear this prophecy of Jesus’ coming from Isaiah 9, still as relevant now as it was then:
“The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; a light has dawned on those living in the land of darkness. You have enlarged the nation and increased its joy. The people have rejoiced before You as they rejoice at harvest time and as they rejoice when dividing spoils.
For You have shattered their oppressive yoke and the rod on their shoulders, the staff of their oppressor, just as You did on the day of Midian. For the trampling boot of battle and the bloodied garments of war will be burned as fuel for the fire.
For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. ”
Isaiah 9:2–7
Church, don’t let this Christmas pass you by without asking yourself who Jesus is. He is the reason for your existence, and His truths and blessings are vast. He is Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast, His prosperity will never end. He will rule on the throne forever with justice and righteousness.
Let us spend time worshiping our Jesus, our Savior, our Immanuel this Christmas.
