The Promise

In this age of self-reliance, high tech, and constant desire for possessions, it's difficult for the historic “Christ event” to touch people's lives with meaning. Yet in times as these the story of the birth of Jesus once again attempts to penetrate and illumine lives. It is even difficult for people of faith to stay focused on the reason for the season and not succumb to the “ways of the world” and the commercialization that attempts to drown out the real message.

The story of Christmas begins in the Old Testament with the prophets proclaiming hope and expectancy that one day the Messiah would come. Once again we celebrate that fulfilled promise. The miracle of God’s love was revealed in the birth of a child in Bethlehem. The Apostle John expressed it this way: “The word became a human being and lived among us, full of grace and truth. And we have beheld his glory.” The good news is that God’s promise to humanity has been fulfilled for all time!

During Advent we prepare to celebrate the fulfillment of God's greatest promise. As we celebrate, our hope is that Christ will be born anew in our hearts as we claim God’s promise through faith. The focus of this season isn't about our agenda, but God's agenda for us. It's not about what we want, but what God wants for us. It's not even about what we do, but what God has already done on our behalf. The promise is best expressed in the word Emmanuel, which means, “God with us.”

Perhaps an expression from a modern Christmas story sums it up best. A youngster playing the part of the angel announces Jesus’ birth with genuine excitement says, “Boy, have I got good news for you! God has kept his promise.”

As we observe this Advent/Christmas season, let us continue to do so in hope and expectancy, so that the miracle of Christmas can happen once again in our lives. May the light of Christ shine brightly before us to illumine our paths, and through us, so that those who walk in darkness may see the light of Christ and discover the hope, peace, joy and love which Christmas offers.