Every good story offers a great promise. The story of Christmas is no different. It speaks into the hopelessness and restlessness of our day by revealing a God who has been on mission to save us.
From the beginning of our human story, God promised a Rescuer who would come to fix our brokenness. When He made good on that promise, He did so in an unexpected way, by sending His Son, the Anointed One! He is the Savior who lives in us, the King who will return for us.
Let's unwrap a few of the promises of Christmas and what they offer us and the world.
Hope
The angels declared that with Jesus' birth "... there is peace and a good hope given to the sons of men" (Luke 2:14 TPT). And Paul frequently reminds us in his letters of our glorious hope because of our belief in Jesus. If you're looking for hope, turn to Jesus and His story!
"And this hope is not a disappointing fantasy, because we can now experience the endless love of God cascading into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who lives in us!" (Romans 5:5 TPT) (Photo via Flickr)
"He is given to us like an engagement ring, as the first installment of what's coming! He is our hope-promise of a future inheritance which seals us until we have all of redemption's promises and experience complete freedom—all for the supreme glory and honor of God!" (Ephesians 1:14 TPT)
Peace
In the Bible, peace isn't merely the absence of conflict. It's about wholeness, stability, and things being made right. The story of Christmas promises this kind of peace! Jesus tells us He's our refreshing oasis, a refuge for the weary. He also gives us His perfect peace, and makes peace between us and God. With Jesus we have no need to worry, because His story promises our story peace!
"Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Come to Me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis. Simply join your life with Mine. Learn My ways and you'll discover that I'm gentle, humble, easy to please. You will find refreshment and rest in Me. For all that I require of you will be pleasant and easy to bear." (Matthew 11:28-30 TPT)
"I leave the gift of peace with you—My peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but My perfect peace. Don't yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!" (John 14:27 TPT)
Joy
There's a difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is often based on situations, people, and things outside ourselves. Joy is another story: it's something internal we can possess, regardless of external circumstances. Jesus told us the Holy Spirit fills us with this mystery. Paul explained the Holy Spirit produces it within us. We're also invited to have it—and we can, because it's one of the promises of Christmas.
"But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions: joy that overflows..." (Galatians 5:22 TPT)
"My fellow Believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! For you know that when your faith is tested it stirs up in you the power of endurance. And then as your endurance grows even stronger, it will release perfection into every part of your being until there is nothing missing and nothing lacking." (James [Jacob] 1:2-4 TPT)
Receive the Promises of Christmas
Do you know who was the first person to receive Christmas presents? Jesus! After His birth a group of wise men came to worship Him. They gave Him three expensive gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These gifts symbolized Jesus' deity—holiness, excellence, and devotion—and the suffering love that would lead Him to die on the Cross for humanity. Perhaps we should say we were the first ones to receive a Christmas gift! (Photo via PickPik)
"For here is the way God loved the world—He gave His only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life." (John 3:16 TPT)
When you unwrap the story of Christmas, you receive the promises of Christmas: forgiveness from sins, release from shame and guilt, peace with God, and unending life. If you'd like to receive the gift of Jesus and all that He means for life, say a prayer like this to God:
God, I have sinned against You. I am truly sorry and I turn from my way of doing things. For the sake of Jesus, have mercy on me and forgive me.
Jesus, I believe You died for me, and I thank You for Your sacrifice. I believe You paid the price for my sins, and I trust Your payment for my rescue. I believe God raised you from the dead, and I need that new life myself.
God, I give you my life. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me live for You all my days. Amen.
With this prayer you have begun your walk with Jesus and are now part of God's family. Welcome, and begin enjoying and living the story of Christmas!
Hope, peace, and joy are only a few of the promises of Christmas. And the scriptures shared above are a mere glimpse into the abundance of scriptures that reinforce these promises. The story of Christmas also offers the promise of love, rescue, forgiveness, freedom, acceptance, purpose, and victory.
(Used by Permission via The Passion Translation.)
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Brian Simmons
Stairway Ministries
The Passion Translation
Email:Â brian@passiontranslation.com
Website:Â www.thepassiontranslation.com
Brian Simmons is known as a passionate lover of God. With his wife Candice and their three children, he spent nearly eight years in the tropical rain forest of the Darien Province of Panama as a church planter, translator, and consultant. After their ministry in the jungle, Brian was instrumental in planting a thriving church in New England (U.S.), and now travels full-time as a speaker and Bible teacher. He is also the lead translator for The Passion Translation Project which will result in a new, dynamic version of the Bible for this generation. He has been happily married to Candice for over forty-three years and is known to boast regularly of his children and grandchildren.
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