Prior to starting my work day, I like to get up early and exercise. I have equipment in my basement and a CD player where I listen to music while exercising. Since it is the Christmas season, I have been listening to some of my favorite contemporary Christian artists. One of my favorite artists is Amy Grant. She recorded a song many years ago that is still played during the Christmas season. It's entitled, "My Grown Up Christmas List." In the song she contrasts how the things she longed for on her Christmas list as a child changed dramatically as an adult. The refrain states, "No more lives torn apart, That wars would never start, And time would heal all hearts. And everyone would have a friend, And right would always win, And love would never end, This is my grown up Christmas list." Doesn't this refrain echo the feelings of so many of us in this world filled with chaos, hatred, wars, and destruction? In fact the sentiments in the refrain of this song can be repeated year after year. Is there any hope that these song lyrics will ever come true? The answer is a resounding YES!
JESUS IS THE ANSWER
This reality came true in the birth of the One we celebrate this Christmas season. God sent His Son into the world as the gift of hope for a world in darkness. Jesus' birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection brought purpose to life in the midst of a fallen world and eternal life for all who are committed to follow after Him. In Revelation 21:1-5, God provides an answer to the refrain of the song. "Then I saw "a new heaven and a new earth," for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Look! God's dwelling place is now among the people, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then He said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." While this vision that John experiences speaks of what is yet to come when Christ finally returns the second time as reigning and conquering King, the Old Testament foreshadows the coming of Christ the first time in Messianic passages such as Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 9:6; and Isaiah 11:1-6. Many of the Old Testament prophets like Isaiah were prophesying to the people at a time of great turmoil when it appeared there was no hope. I have no doubt the people at that time could empathize with the refrain of Amy Grant's song. In the New Testament we read about the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies in Christ.
TRUE HOPE
So what's on your grown up Christmas list? Does your heart's desire echo the refrain of the song? Do you grow weary in hoping that things will get better with each Christmas and New Year? Do you live a life filled with purpose and hope? It is possible and the words Amy Grant sings in her refrain are made real in Jesus Christ. That is the reason we celebrate Christmas. For our hope does not lie in what this world has to offer but in the One who is the hope of the world! "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and His understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV)
Have a blessed Christmas!
Pastor Sheree
