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 hat difference did it make that Christ came into the world? And what difference can it make when Christ comes into your world? If you truly understood it, you couldn't contain yourself, just like the angels, the shepherds and so many others who were there at His birth. 2008 Christmas Messageby Eric Elder How might your world be different if Christ hadn’t come? What hope would you have for your life and for the world if you didn’t have the hope of Christ? I know for me, if Christ hadn’t come into the world, my whole world would be totally different today--as well as the whole world as we know it. The difference Christ has made in the world is summed up in the name of Jesus itself, which means “the Lord saves.” It’s the name God gave to His Son when He sent an angel to announce the birth to Joseph. The angel said, “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” (Matthew 1:19).And that’s exactly what Jesus has done for me. He’s saved me from my sins, just as He saves everyone who puts their faith in Him. When I try to think of what my life would be like if Jesus hadn’t come into the world almost 2008 Christmases ago, it’s honestly more than I can bear. I can hardly express my thankfulness for all that He’s given me. He’s given me hope, purpose, an abundant life here on earth, and the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven. Since I’ve put my faith in Christ, I can now understand why the angel of the Lord was so filled with joy when he announced to the shepherds that Christ was born: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).I can now understand why so many other angels suddenly burst onto the scene after the first angel made his announcement. They could hardly contain themselves when they heard the good news, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:14).I can now understand why the shepherds were so excited and said to one another after the angels left, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about” (Luke 2:15).And I can now understand why Christ Himself told His followers to continue the proclamation of this good news when He said: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” (Mark 16:15).The difference Christ has made in the world since He was born into it is the difference between night and day, darkness and light, despair and hope. As C.S. Lewis has described it, it would be a world where it was “always winter and never Christmas.” So how might your world be different if Christ hadn’t come? What hope would you have for your life and for the world if you didn’t have the hope of Christ? With Christmas just around the corner, now’s the perfect time to remind yourself--and those around you--just what Christ’s coming into the world means to you. Remember the One who came “to save the people from their sins,” and put your faith and trust in Him again today. Keep the hope of Christ at the forefront of your mind every moment of every day. Then share that hope with those around you, encouraging them to put their hope in Him as well. Invite them to join you in worshiping the One who has made such a difference in your life. This is the perfect time to “Go tell it on the mountain, that Jesus Christ is born!” My prayer for you this Christmas is that you would have the power to understand just how wide and long and high and deep God’s love for you really is. I pray that you would keep putting your faith in Him, and that Christ would make His home in your heart as you do. Most of all I pray that you would truly experience the love that Christ has for you, even though I know His love is too great for any of us to fully understand. Let’s pray... Father, thank You for sending Jesus into the world. Help me to see again today just what my world would be like without Him, and help me to share that good news with those who still need to put their faith in Him as well. In Jesus name, Amen.P.S. As you prepare your heart for Christmas, I thought you’d enjoy taking a few minutes to listen to a beautiful worship song that’s often been used to call people to come and adore Christ. It’s called “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and is performed by Marilyn Byrnes’ on her latest Christmas CD, “Peace On Earth.” Merry Christmas! To download the rest of the Marilyn’s “Peace On Earth” CD, please visit: |
