Christmas Confidence

Ron Hamilton, Conference Minister

The word “fulfill” is an important part of the Christmas story.  It’s easy to overlook this as we read the story each year and get caught up in the amazing events surrounding the birth of Jesus.  A young virgin gets pregnant and is visited by an angel.  An embarrassed fiancé is also visited by an angel when he is tempted to leave her.  This young couple travels to Bethlehem to be registered for taxes.  They can’t find a room and end up staying with the animals.  The baby is born and laid in a manger.  At the same time, a host of angels appear to a group of lowly shepherds outside the town, telling them that the Messiah has come to their town.  They rush to the scene to see if it’s true and are blown away by what they see.  They return, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen.  And on the story goes.

Matthew records a part of this story as he begins his Gospel record.  And he makes sure to include that all of this happened to “fulfill” what the Lord promised through the prophet Isaiah over 700 years before this happened.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”  All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).” (Matthew 1:21-23)

He repeats this word again and again throughout his Gospel.  It is said that Jesus fulfilled over 300 Old Testament prophecies.  The birth of Jesus reminds us that God will fulfill his promises to us.

This gives us great confidence as we live out our faith each day.  God’s Word is true, and His promises will come true in our lives. Let’s rejoice in a few of promises in this season.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

And this is what he promised us—eternal life. (1 John 2:25)

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:25)

Christmas grows the confidence of our faith as we trust in the promises of God and wait for their fulfillment in our lives.