Carpenter’s Corner: Christmas promise

Christmas time, for most peo­ple, is one of the most festive, colorful and happiest seasons of them all. However, for oth­ers, Christmas can be a painful reminder of lost loved ones, es­tranged relationships and host for some of the darkest gloom that can ever settle on a person’s life. For those of you who are ex­periencing this dousing I want you to know that there is always hope when God is kept at the center of our lives.

From its beginning, possibly the fourth century when Dec. 25 was chosen as the date to honor the birth of Jesus, Christ­mas has become one of the most beloved Christian traditions the world has ever embraced. So many nations celebrate this holiday in many joyful and won­drous ways.

For us living in America, Christmas would not be com­plete if not for aromas of mince meat, apple, blackberry and pumpkin pies coming from the kitchen. Freshly cut evergreen trees lavishly draped with gold garlands, glass ornaments and silver tinsel make our living rooms alight with the promise of a coming Christmas morning.

In some places, fresh snow flakes will float effortlessly in the calm repose that graces the arrival of Christmas morning. Circular holly reeves, hanging from our doors, remind us of God’s unbroken, never ending love. Bright strings of colored Christmas lights hang from our eves, trees and bushes. They illu­minate our yards and our imagi­nations inviting us to discover a larger reason for celebrating.

For many this holiday season will be a painful time to be en­dured. Every Christmas card that comes in the mail reminds them of happier times that don’t come around to visit anymore. Christmas music playing in stores and on the radio sparks memories of Christmas past and long treasured memories with family and friends. Even an announcement for the an­nual office party sends waves of anxiety through them as they ponder its inevitable arrival.

Ultimately, what you believe in will frame the picture that will be painted during these festive weeks to come. The an­swer to our holiday happiness can be found all around us. The holly bears the red berries and thorns reminding us that the Child born to us will be the cen­ter of our salvation. The bright festive lighting reminds us that the Messiah’s birth was a Great Light and majestic sun­rise which dawned that first Christmas morning. This glori­ous prophecy can be found in the gospel of Luke 1:77-79, Isaiah 9:2 and Malachi 4:2 NKJV.

It must have been a grueling journey for Mary and Joseph, living 80 miles north in Nazareth, as Mary was already to give birth. It was the announcement of a census, for tax pur­poses, that would be the device God would use to compel them to make the trip to Bethlehem. Thus fulfilling an ancient prophecy naming the place of the Messiah’s birth “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thou­sands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose go­ings forth are from of old, from everlasting.” Micah 5:2 NKJV.

There is so much more to lift our spirits through this holiday season which can be found in Old Testament prophecy. The “Immanuel” prophecy, that the Messiah would be born of a vir­gin “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Im­manuel.” Isaiah 7:14NKJV.

Standing atop the pinnacle of prophecy, written seven hun­dred years before Jesus’ birth, stands the greatest herald of all “For unto us a Child is born, un­to us a Son is given; and the gov­ernment will be upon His shoul­der. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever.” Isa­iah 9:6 NKJV.

So even as dark clouds threat­en to settle over your household this holiday season, look past them, beyond the horizon and into eternity! Embrace the fact that the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, is the greatest sto­ry ever told. The giving of the Messiah is the greatest gift ever given and the only one required to receive if you want to obtain eternal life.

There is power in the Word of God and it is only through God’s Holy Spirit that we can rise above the trials and tribula­tions that so easily entangle us. May the truth of God’s promise of redemption warm your house and keep the embers of His love glowing in your hearth and in your hearts this Christmas sea­son!