Political and social unrest dominate the news, and economic distress grips the entire world. People are easily overcome with a sense of hopelessness and fear. As we approach Christmas this year, it seems appropriate to refocus our attention on the reason we celebrate at all. Christ entered history in times like ours: the Mediterranean world was under the occupation of the brutal Roman Empire. Corruption and abuse abounded. Taxes were high, the common man oppressed, the ruling powers capricious and often malevolent. Citizens were disillusioned; the nation of Israel had lost sight of their calling, having lost sight of the God Who had called them. The effects of wide-spread paganism were superstition, devaluation of life, and a lack of natural affection among men.
I wish to offer you a meditation from the Word of God on the coming of the Savior to earth. I invite you to see beyond the distress of an unsettled world and consider the words He spoke through His prophets and apostles, offering peace, joy, and hope of eternal life in Christ for all who trust Him. I Pray this meditation will bless you and bring you closer to the Savior Who came.
For God so loved the world:
“Therefore, my Lord Himself shall give to you a sign: Behold! the virgin conceives and bears a son, and calls His name Immanuel.” Isaiah 7:14
“For a child is born to us; a son is given to us, and the government is on his shoulder. And his name shall be called wonderful counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there is no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to support it in judgement and in justice from now and unto forever.” Isaiah 9:6-7
