Christ Is Everything
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As we near the end of this Advent and Christmas season, we must go back to the foundational element for all of the other Advent elements, and that is Christ. He is the only way that we can truly have hope, peace, joy and love. As many people say this time of year, and as cheesy as it may sound at times, Jesus truly is the reason for the season! Christmas is about Jesus Christ.
The word Christmas literally means “Christ's mass,” which comes from the Latin word “‘to give thanks.” This points to the truth that we should give thanks to God for sending the gift of his son Christ into the world.
In Isaiah 9, we see the prophet Isaiah speaking to God’s people who were in distress over the opposition of surrounding nations. God would ultimately give them the victory, but the future sending of Christ into the world would bring even greater hope, peace, joy, love and victory.
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”
Christ coming into the world should mean everything to us. The implications are too many to count! Christ fulfills everything we have ever needed and everything we ever will need. This Christmas season, let’s not forget these truths about what Christ has done for us:
Christ has come
God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to US! We have a sin problem. The only way for that sin problem to be taken care of was through the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. God is a loving and redeeming God. We must live in that hope today, that Christ has already come and our sins have been taken care of and forgiven. That is an incredible reality to live in!
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. ”
Christ is here
Not only did Christ come to us, but Christ is still with us today. After his crucifixion and resurrection, he sent his Holy Spirit to us to display his presence in our lives and around the world. We are not alone, and God goes with us and before us!
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Christ is coming again
Finally, not only did Christ come to the world for us, die for us, rise from the grave for us, and send his Holy Spirit to us, but one day he will come back again for us. He will make all things right, in his own time, and gather us up to be with him forever. He has a plan and he’s in control. All Christians can rest assure that we are forever sealed with Christ.
“In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.”
This gift that is Christ can easily become something that we grow numb to. Over time, if we aren’t careful, we lose our awe and wow factor of who God is and what he has done for us through his son. It’s like opening a gift at Christmas. When you open that gift, you immediately go into a state of excitement, but over time, that gift begins to collect dust and maybe even becomes less exciting. We cannot do that with the gift of Jesus Christ! What he has done for us must carry on through our entire lives and echo into eternity. We must cultivate it, treasure it and hold it closely.
So, as we celebrate this Christmas season and enjoy everything that comes with it, let’s not forget Christ. He came, he is here, and he will come again. Let’s not lose sight of the true reason we celebrate Advent. We anticipate what Christ is going to do, because he has kept his promises to us! Remember that Christ is everything. Without Christ, there would be no Christmas. I pray that Christ would flow through your lives, families, and homes this Christmas, and that we would also give this gift away to others. Merry Christmas!