This is the day when the Lamb of God appears.
The Lamb who Abraham said would be provided is here at last. His birth promised and predicted for many years. He came as a baby in humble surroundings, but he didn’t stay that way. He grew up, lived in this world, and died the death of the sacrificial lamb. He was raised to life and now he comes to meet you as you are, whether you’re full of festive cheer or in darkness. He comes to bring healing and help for your hurts.
He doesn’t expect a grand reception where everyone is getting on and the napkins match – he wasn’t born into that kind of life, and though he could have chosen it for himself, he lived among the needy and the vulnerable. He comes to you as you are, and offers his salvation to you. A clean slate and a new start with him, bought for you and freely gifted.
It’s amazing news! That doesn’t mean though that this day, or any other, has to feel great. For those who receive Jesus as their Saviour things aren’t universally wonderful and although the arrival of the Saviour is the best news ever, that doesn’t mean we feel giddy with excitement every day. There are tough times, and for many Christmas is a harsh reminder of what or who is missing from their lives. It isn’t always easy, but the gift of the Lamb of God means there is always hope.
Hope for each day that he meets us where we are and helps. Some pretty unexpected things happen when you know Jesus!
Hope in being part of a community based on his love, the church, where all people are welcomed and nobody is too difficult or too weird or too much of a burden.
Hope that God can and will use us to make a difference to how things are. To reach out and touch others with his love and grace.
Hope that there will be better times in this life, if things are hard at the moment.
And hope for a beautiful and bright eternal future, living in God’s presence and in sheer perfection.
We have hope, because today is the day when the Lamb of God appears.
Merry Christmas!
Reflect
- What place will the arrival of the Saviour have in your day today?
- What hope do you most need today?
