Hope… In the birth of Christ!
Luke 2:10-11 Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
The birth of a child is a symbol of hope. It is the beginning of the good and the removing of the poor. The shepherds were in the fields tending their sheep. They were undoubtedly the outcast of the society and they were despised by many. They had no hope, no cause for joy and no lasting happiness. But it was to this people that the angels announced the coming of Christ. What is the hope they received from the angels?
- A removal of fear: The angels’ comfort to the shepherds was to FEAR NOT! Is there not an abundance of fear in this world? The fear of the future, the fear of terrorism and its effects, the fear of tomorrow, the fear of insufficiency, the fear that we will not be secure. Even in religion, there is a fear of our souls ending up in hell, because we are not good enough, there is a fear of retribution in some religions. There is the superstitious fear in some that their gods are angry at them. Fear is a predominant principle in many people’s lives, but when God comes in, when CHrist comes, He tells us to FEAR NOT!
- A removal of sadness: There will be good tidings of great joy… There is much sadness in this world, and anxiety. THere is the fear of war and the rumours of wars. There is the sadness of death, tragedy and social isolation. There is the personal pain experienced by the individuals, known only to themselves. Are there not trials and personal sorrow in our lives? But with the coming of Christ is the coming of good news!! what is that good news that will remove fear and remove sadness?? It is…
- The removal of sin!! Unto you is born this day in the City of David, a SAVIOUR! Dear friends, fear is the result of sin. Sorrow is the result of sin! When God made this world, there was no fear and no sorrow, because there was perfection, and there was harmony. All creation was one. However, with sin came rebellion, with sin came conflict, with sin came discord and division, with sin came separation. When we sin, we are fearful that we will be caught, leading to lying, leading to anger when caught. With sinfulness, there is death, there is disease. Sorrow is caused when there is death, and tragedy. These are caused by sin!! But when Jesus came, the bible tells us that HE will save His people from their sin!! Sin curses, sin destroys, sin separates! But when Jesus came He blesses, He heals and He reconciles!! “2 Co 5:19 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself,…”
Dear friend, because of Sin, there is separation from GOD! But when Jesus came, His purpose was to deal with the sin and its effects! that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life!! This is the message of the birth of Christ, the message of hope for man! Do you have this hope? Come to Jesus and He will bless you with salvation and forgiveness from sin, and He will heal what have been destroyed and HE will reconcile what have been separated.
Blessed birth of Christ!!
Evangelist – Pastor Johnny Tan
Ambassador Baptist Church