Craig Smith • Me • December 24, 2024

Losses can teach us things that victories don’t…

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure. (Eccl. 7:4)

God has always been in the details of His people’s mess…

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He 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. He will reign on David’s throne and over His kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. (Isaiah 9:6-7a)

The gift of this Son…

• A Counselor to guide us – “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So He began teaching them many things.” (Mark 6:34)

In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. (John 1:4)

• A Warrior to fight for us – “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. (1 John 3:8b)

• A Father to shepherd us – “But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will be the shepherd of my people Israel.” (Matt. 2:6)

• A Prince to reconcile us – “For He himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.” (Eph. 2:14-18)

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

All of the Christmas promises can be summed up in one word – Immanuel…

The virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel – which means, “God with us.” (Matt. 1:23)