Promises, Promises
Do you remember that one big gift you wanted for Christmas? The one that really stands out in your mind from your childhood. Did you ever get it? What feelings does it bring out? When you came to the tree on Christmas morning, was there joy in seeing your dream realized, or were you disappointed by the fact that it wasn’t there? Maybe you were let down that Christmas or felt like promises weren’t kept. If it were to happen enough times, your feelings of the Christmas season may begin to change. You may even begin to expect disappointment. However, when you get to the heart of Christmas, is that really what it’s all about. Intellectually, I believe we would answer no, but emotionally, it may feel like it.
In some ways, the people of Ancient Israel felt that way. In a time of disappointment where they felt alone in the world. Where they felt abandoned by their God (it was really the other way around, but emotion overruled reason), the Israelite people saw little hope in their future. Scripture says they walked in darkness. Enemies were pressing in. And in that time, the prophet Isaiah had a vision of an amazing promise of God. Isaiah writes the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14 NIV). In the midst of dark time, God spoke a promise to Israel of a Savior that would come. And maybe they believed it would be soon. But the reality is, our timing and desires are not the same as God’s timing and plans. It took 700 years for this promise to come. But, come it did. To a little town in Bethlehem. To Mary and Joseph.
And after 700 years, the gospel writer Matthew recorded this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV).
God kept His promise to His people. A Savior was born. He is God with us. His name is Jesus! And this is the reason to celebrate. To sing and shout for joy because the promise of the Savior wasn’t just for the Israelite people. Through our adoption into the family of God, we’re the recipients of that promise. Salvation has come to us this year. Even if we’re having the darkest year. Even when our trust in others is at an all time low. Trust in the One who is always faithful. He will keep His promises.
In some ways, the people of Ancient Israel felt that way. In a time of disappointment where they felt alone in the world. Where they felt abandoned by their God (it was really the other way around, but emotion overruled reason), the Israelite people saw little hope in their future. Scripture says they walked in darkness. Enemies were pressing in. And in that time, the prophet Isaiah had a vision of an amazing promise of God. Isaiah writes the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14 NIV). In the midst of dark time, God spoke a promise to Israel of a Savior that would come. And maybe they believed it would be soon. But the reality is, our timing and desires are not the same as God’s timing and plans. It took 700 years for this promise to come. But, come it did. To a little town in Bethlehem. To Mary and Joseph.
And after 700 years, the gospel writer Matthew recorded this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”) (Matthew 1:20-23 NIV).
God kept His promise to His people. A Savior was born. He is God with us. His name is Jesus! And this is the reason to celebrate. To sing and shout for joy because the promise of the Savior wasn’t just for the Israelite people. Through our adoption into the family of God, we’re the recipients of that promise. Salvation has come to us this year. Even if we’re having the darkest year. Even when our trust in others is at an all time low. Trust in the One who is always faithful. He will keep His promises.
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