Christmas is not just for a day, but for eternity
Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the reign of King Herod. About that time some wise men from eastern lands arrived in Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We saw his star as it rose, and we have come to worship him.” King Herod was deeply disturbed when he heard this, as was everyone in Jerusalem. He called a meeting of the leading priests and teachers of religious law and asked, “Where is the Messiah supposed to be born?” “In Bethlehem in Judea...” Matthew 2:1-5
It is an eye opening that right after the birth of Jesus Christ we are confronted with the evil intentions of Herod. By the time the Magi reached the baby Jesus, Mary and Joseph already moved out from the stable. It was during this time that Herod planned to have Him killed for he does not want to have a rival in his kingdom. He would not allow anyone to live who would have a claim on his throne. Isn’t that something? In the same chapter we have the innocence of Jesus and the corruption of Herod. We have the salvation of God and the slaughter of innocent children. We have the purely good and the purely evil. Jesus’ birth did not eliminate evil in the world. The world is still full of evil because it is full of people capable of evil. Matthew’s account included a quote from Jeremiah to describe the pain of this whole incident: “A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more” (Matthew 2:18). Jesus had come into the world. It didn’t mean that all suffering would end. Although the birth of Jesus did not destroy evil, eventually evil will be destroyed. It didn’t happen on the day of His birth, and it still hasn’t happened, but one day it will. 1 John 3:8 says, “The one who commits sin is of the Devil, for the Devil has sinned from the beginning. The Son of God was revealed for this purpose: to destroy the Devil's works.” And He is doing that today, one life at a time as people are surrendering to the Lordship of Christ. As people find a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ their lives are changed and the work of the devil is destroyed. Because Jesus was born, the effect of it for those who trusted Him will not just be a day but for eternity. One day evil will cease its reign and the suffering for those who call Him Lord will end. Revelation 21:3-4 tells us what eternity will be like for those who cling to Christ as Lord: “Then I heard a loud voice from the throne: Look! God's dwelling is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will exist no longer; grief, crying, and pain will exist no longer, because the previous things have passed away.’”
Blessings,