Christmas is a time of hope. Christ's birth brought with it a hope of freedom from our sins, a hope of freedom from a law that was impossible for us to keep, a hope for a life free from the guilt of sin, a hope for a closer and more meaningful relationship with our creator – God.
The law that was given to Moses did offer the people a hope of salvation but as we read in today's reading (Heb 6:13-10:18) that hope was marred by the sinful nature of man (Heb 8:8) and in need of a new and better hope.
God was ready and willing to provide, yet again, with a new hope:
Hebrew 7:19
"…a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near God."
"…a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near God."
What did this "introduction" of the new hope look like? What did the first acts of "drawing near to God" entail?
Luke 2:8-20
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. "
"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. 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. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. "
What a beautiful way to introduce the new hope to us all. What a great example of the shepherds drawing near to God then seeing them search him out, find him, share the good news and joy of this great new hope and then return to their lives and continue to glorify and praise the God whom they had just encountered in a manger.
What does Christmas hold for you? Is it a reminder of the new hope that was given to us through the birth of the one who came to die for our freedom and to give us a pathway to draw near to the throne of grace (Heb 4:16)? Those Shepherds could have arrived and only seen a newborn baby lying in a manger and gone home wondering what all the fuss was about. But instead they saw hope, a new hope. They drew near to God and found the gift that was awaiting them.
Their celebration that first "Christmas" night was not something they kept secret, that they hid for themselves. No, they knew this hope, this new hope was for all to hear and they "spread the word" concerning the child, concerning this new little bundle of hope.
I have spent a fare share of time this "Christmas Season" buying gifts, wrapping gifts, sending out Christmas cards, baking, visiting family, decorating and what have you. But I am forced to ask myself this question: "This season how much time have you spent drawing near to the hope that is Christ the Lord? How much time have you spent sharing this new hope, that is Christ, with others?"
For me the answer was, "I have not spent as much time spreading the truth of the hope of Christ as compared to time spent 'preparing' for our family Christmas traditions." There is still time though, sharing this gift of hope goes beyond December 24th and I can bring the gift of the good news of the hope of Christ to others everyday.
For today though I will remember that Christ came to bring a freedom to me that was not available before hand. It was a greater gift then any gift that could be given. I believe that like the shepherds, God desires you and I to encounter him in a way we have not yet encountered him and to share that encounter with others we meet every day of our lives. To bring the hope found in Christ to the hearts of those who are in desperate need of it. Then he wants us to keep our lips full of praise and glory for the great God we have who loves us so much that when he saw our faults he sent us a new hope on that first Christmas night so long ago that created a path back to him.
Lets not loose sight of the real reason we should be celebrating this Christmas and don't forget to spend some time drawing near to the savior and lifting voices of praise. What a reason to celebrate.
Merry Christmas to you all and enjoy the gift of freedom you have in this new hope, Jesus Christ.
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