The First Advent
30 days to bring joy this Christmas
A Devotional by Joseph L. Williams with Dr. J.L. Williams
The First Advent
30 days to bring you joy this Christmas
A Devotional by Joseph L. Williams with Dr. J.L. Williams
Copyright © 2025 by Feed the Hunger. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in mechanical or electronic form without the express permission of the copyright holder. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. Printed in the USA.
December
The Unconquered Son
The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned. Matthew 4:16 (quoting Isaiah 9:2)
Sincewe are dealing with the 2,000-year-old event of the First Advent, Christ’s birth, all manner of historians, researchers, and scholars have tried to definitively explain the origins of Christmas celebrations. So, this introduction is not going to bring anything more than a broad summary, a cursory look at the journey from that first Christmas Day to the present.
As we consider the origin of December 25 as the date for Christmas, it is similar to the question, Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Was this date first about celebrating the sun god, or was it established by the church to celebrate Christ’s birth? Let’s briefly look at both options before considering a third possibility and drawing a conclusion.
On December 25, AD 274, Roman emperor Aurelian dedicated a new temple in Rome to Sol Invictus , the Invincible or Unconquered Sun god. Aurelian was an incredibly successful military leader who reunited the empire—only to be murdered by his soldiers after five years as emperor. Before his death, he had elevated worship of the sun god across the empire.
Just a few decades later, Constantine converted to Christianity and promoted it across the empire. Worship of the sun faded away. The so-called “Unconquered Sun” was replaced by the Unconquered Son . There is historical evidence that the first time Christ’s birth was celebrated on December 25 was in AD 336. Christianity became entrenched in all aspects of Roman life until the empire’s fall to the Byzantine Empire, which was also Christian.
No one knows the exact date of Jesus’ birth, of course. One tradition says that he was conceived on March 25, the same supposed day as his death (this was also thought to be the date God conceived the earth). Nine months later is December 25.
During Roman times, something else was marked by this date, about which we can have complete certainty: the winter solstice. (To be clear, the solstice actually takes place on December 21 or 22, but due to an imperfect calendar, it fell on December 25 on the Roman calendar, and tradition has kept the date fixed). God set the unofficial race to see who would lay permanent claim to December 25 to take place on the shortest day of the year.
In our physical universe, the winter solstice is the day before light begins to overtake the darkness more and more. Remember what Isaiah prophesied: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light.” There is something poetic and righteous about celebrating the birth of Jesus on December 25. The true Son came, his light has shone, and darkness has forever fallen away!
Now that we’ve fixed our date, we will dwell on the Christian side of the First Advent and embrace it for the right reasons instead of for the secular meanings that have invaded it. We’ll spend one week each looking at Old Testament prophecies, Christmas traditions, and Christmas carols. We’ll close with a week of reflections from my father, Dr. J.L. Williams. May this devotional bring joy and fulfillment to your Christmas season!
A Week of Old Testament Prophecies
November 27–December 3
Foretelling the First Advent
Protoevangelium
And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
Genesis 3:15
Webegin our week of prophecies by going back to the first book of the Bible. It should not be surprising that all the way back at Adam and Eve is the first prophecy of the coming of Christ. You will recall that Genesis was written by Moses around 1,400 years before Jesus, so this is truly an impressive prophecy.
The verse above is known as the protoevangelium . This is derived from the Greek words meaning “first gospel” or “first good news.” It demonstrates that God’s plan of salvation was foreordained from eternity and announced after the very first sin. Jesus will one day fulfill this prophecy to Adam. This is why he is sometimes referred to as the last Adam (1 Corinthians 15:45–49). The first brought sin into the world, the last will bring salvation.
As you read the verse above, however, you might find it a bit peculiar. Someone is getting their head crushed and their heel struck? Merry Christmas, everyone! We should not shy away
from or skip over hard-to-understand verses. We should instead be compelled to understand the truth.
Let’s get some context first. Adam and Eve had just blown it and ruined a perfect relationship with their Creator. They unsuccessfully hid from him and came clean on who led them astray: the devil, who is portrayed here in as a serpent (see also Revelation 12:9). God then curses the devil and tells him of his future.
All humankind proceeding from Eve’s womb (“your offspring”) will come into conflict with all the spiritual and physical forces aligned with the devil. This division began manifesting soon thereafter with Cain killing Abel.
At one point, Jesus informed his audience, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires” (John 8:44). You might also be familiar with the verse that declares “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12).
This is the great seen and unseen battle that has been taking place ever since the Garden of Eden. Satan has spent the ages crippling mankind and even temporarily thinking he had beaten Christ with the cross (“strike his heel”) but he will eventually experience a fatal blow (“crush your head”) by Jesus, who is the offspring. Paul also proclaims about this future that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet” (Romans 6:20).
There is the ultimate day of victory coming, a glorious triumph over the devil. Until then, “the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).
All Hail the King
I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, your own flesh and blood, and I will establish his kingdom. He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.
2 Samuel 7:12–13
Thefirst chapter of Matthew gives us the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew was writing for a Jewish audience, so his first words in verse 1 affirm that their Messiah, the Anointed One, had finally arrived. His list of names goes from past to present, starting with Abraham and ending with Jesus (Luke goes from Jesus all the way back to Adam). There are 41 names in all, including four women, and it spans 2,000 years.
There is a breadcrumb trail of Old Testament prophecies referencing Jesus’ ancestors that points to the coming of the King. There was Abraham, whom God told, “Through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed” (Genesis 22:18). Later, Israel (Abraham’s grandson) was told, “A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel” (Numbers 24:17). David’s father is mentioned in Isaiah 11:1: “A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.”
Our verses for today (and in a couple of days) contain a
prophecy with dual fulfillment. In other words, there is a nearer fulfillment to when it was written and a second much further in the future.
In the verses above, the prophet Nathan foretold of King David’s son, Solomon, and also about the ultimate King that would come from his family line: “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.” The book of Jeremiah further states, “‘The days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will raise up for David [or ‘up from David’s line’] a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land’” (Jeremiah 23:5–6).
This line of prophecies culminated when an angel of the Lord appeared to Jesus’ father, Joseph, in a dream. He was told that Mary had conceived through the Holy Spirit, that her son was the Son (Matthew 1:18–25).
For today’s study, it is interesting to note that Matthew’s genealogy lists Joseph’s father as Jacob, but the angel called him “Joseph son of David” (verse 20). God was emphasizing the family line and making it clear that the long-prophesied descendant of Israel’s great King David had finally arrived! He had come to “save his people from their sins” (verse 21).
Aren’t you grateful that Jesus not only came as prophesied but also defeated death for our sake according to the Father’s will? And he will one day come back to establish a permanent presence in the flesh. Revelation 5:5 gives us this assurance by once again referencing Christ’s royal lineage: “See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.” All hail the King!
House of Bread
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.
Micah 5:2
Bethlehem was located only five miles south of Jerusalem. It was also called Ephrathah or Ephrath (Genesis 35:16–19; 48:7). King David was from Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:1, 18 and 17:12). So was Ruth, his great-grandmother (Ruth 1:1). She is also mentioned as one of the five special women in Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
Judah is one of the tribes of Israel, which were all named after the sons of Jacob. While Judah’s land and population were the largest among the tribes, the town of Bethlehem was so insignificant that it wasn’t even listed with the towns of Judah in Joshua 15 or Nehemiah 11.
The town lay on the border between a fertile region and a dry region. The people had no spring and relied on cisterns for storing water. Main crops included wheat, barley, olives, and grapes.
The prophet Micah spoke of a future ruler who existed from eternity past. The fulfillment of this over 700-year-old prophecy
is recorded in Luke 2 and Matthew 2. In Luke, Joseph takes his bride-to-be there to register for the census (2:4) because he was descended from David. It is also to Bethlehem where the shepherds come to worship the newborn King (2:15).
In Matthew we learn Jesus spent his earliest years in the town until after the visit of the Magi. Also, in his second chapter we are told that the Jewish religious leaders of Jesus’ day were well aware of this prophecy and informed King Herod, who felt threatened by the birth of the supposed king of the Jews.
Later during Jesus’ public ministry, this prophecy circulates among the people: “Does not Scripture say that the Messiah will come from David’s descendants and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?” (John 7:42).
In the Hebrew language, Bethlehem is spelled Beit Lechem . The word beit means “house,” and lechem means “bread.” So, the town is called “House of Bread.” You recall that people grew grain crops here and they had to store water. Both were temporary solutions to hunger and thirst. Why is this important to the coming of the Messiah? Because Jesus proclaimed, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty” (John 6:35).
The Christmas season is one of the three times of the year when people are most receptive to the good news that came out of Bethlehem. The first is, of course, Easter, and the other is Mother’s Day. In light of this, will you pray for an unsaved family member or friend this month? Will you invite them to a special Christmas service? You can also give them a free copy of this or any of our other devotionals to help them as they consider.
The Hypostatic Union
Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Isaiah 7:14
Thisverse is perhaps the most well-known prophecy about the birth of Jesus. However, if you’ve ever read this verse in its context, you might be wondering if it’s about him at all. There is certainly not agreement in theological circles as to the exact meaning here. Without getting too much into the historical weeds of this prophecy, it was given by Isaiah to King Ahaz of Judah and the House of David regarding their war with the kingdoms of Aram and Israel.
This leads us to consider an interesting question: Was there another “virgin” in the Bible who gave birth before Mary? Apparently so. It should be stated that the Hebrew word used here for virgin, almah , is sometimes translated “maiden” and used to describe a young unmarried female who is old enough to be married.
In this period of history, a child’s name (like Immanuel) was believed to be associated with their character, their destiny, and/or what was happening at the time of their birth. For multiple examples, read how Jacob named his children
in Genesis 29–30. A good explanation for naming this child Immanuel is that it signified God’s presence with his people through tough times. Anyway, a couple of years after this first prophesied child was born, it was foretold that the Aram-Israel alliance would be broken (Isaiah 7:15–16). This would indeed come at the hands of the Assyrian Empire.
Well, can this verse also be about the Messiah’s birth? This is most likely the case for two primary reasons. First, the book of Isaiah is full of prophecies about Jesus. Among them, read Isaiah 53 on your own and you will count several obvious connections in just this one chapter.
Second, Matthew quotes this verse as being about Jesus. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph and set him straight on what had happened with Mary’s pregnancy. Matthew then records, “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’)” (1:22–23).
God the Father sent Jesus the Son to be conceived by the Holy Spirit through Mary. He is fully God and fully human, two natures in one person. This is known as the hypostatic union. John describes this at the beginning of his gospel: “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (1:14). Philippians 2:5–11 and Colossians 2:9 also clarify this reality.
At times, Jesus struggled like the rest of us, but he never sinned. And he had to empty himself, be born a human, die for the sins of the world, and be resurrected so that we could live with him forever. This is truly something to celebrate!
The Verse of Titles
Dr. J.L. Williams
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.
Isaiah 9:6
Perhaps no other verse gets quoted at Christmastime more than Isaiah 9:6. And it is usually read in a joyful and excited manner. A future child is coming who will rule the world! These words are then followed by four illustrative titles for this One who is to come. Let’s briefly look at these descriptions of the prophesied Messiah:
Wonderful Counselor : The world is filled with counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, analysts, and therapists. Some people turn to cults, the occult, and astrology. There is a great need for help because people are spiritually and emotionally disturbed. We need a supernatural, miraculous counselor so that we can then know his plan, program, and will for our lives. “This also comes from the Lord of hosts, Who has made His counsel wonderful and His wisdom great” (Isaiah 28:29 nasb).
Mighty God : This child and son is no less than God! He is both perfect God and perfect man, Immanuel, or “God with us.”
Human counselors can give advice, but do not have the power to carry it out. But our Wonderful Counselor is also our Mighty God—and he will do it! He can give power to fulfill his counsel. “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome” (Deuteronomy 10:17).
Everlasting Father : God does not just desire to be mighty toward us. He is not some capricious, vindictive, transcendent God, but a loving Father. If we could only grasp the eternal Fatherhood of God. He is not just Father, but Abba Father— our Daddy! This is a revolutionary concept! He loves us with an everlasting love! He is the “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6).
Prince of Peace : A prince rules; he becomes king. Christ does not reign geographically but spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. He brings peace between God and man, man and himself, man and his neighbor, and man and his environment. We cannot have his peace until we let him rule, so let us make him the crown prince of our lives. “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 14:27).
Have you sought his wonderful counsel? Have you found strength in the fact that we serve a mighty God? Do you know and fear him as a far-removed, transcendent God, or as the everlasting Father? Do you know his princely peace? I encourage you this Christmas to put the government of your life upon his shoulders. He wants total Lordship over your life.
Two Negative Prophecies
An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”
Matthew 2:13
There are two related Old Testament prophecies we will mention today that involved negative consequences after Christ’s birth. One found its fulfillment in Joseph’s flight to Egypt with Mary and young Jesus, and the other foretold the massacre of infant boys in Bethlehem. Let’s look at them from the standpoint that both had to be fulfilled despite the trauma that resulted.
During the last week of this devotional, my father will unpack the story of King Herod, so there is no need for me to do so here. But you will recall he dispatched the wise men to visit Jesus and report back to him. After they chose not to return, Herod was in a rage. Joseph was directed in a dream to flee to Egypt with Mary and Jesus, and Herod ordered the murder of all boys under the age of two in hopes of killing the newborn King of the Jews.
Sometime later, an angel once again appeared to Joseph in a dream to tell him it was safe to return home from Egypt because “those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead”
(Matthew 2:20). Herod was dead, but one of his corrupt sons was ruling the area surrounding Bethlehem, so Joseph was directed by God to settle in Nazareth.
Matthew declares this return the fulfillment of our first prophecy for today from Hosea 11:1: “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Just as God called Israel, “my firstborn son” (Exodus 4:22), out of Egypt and through the desert, he also called Israel’s ultimate Son out of Egypt to take a long journey home.
Now, let’s return to what happened in Bethlehem after the family escaped. While Joseph and his family were in Egypt, the second prophecy was fulfilled. It is from Jeremiah 31:15, and Matthew quotes it in 2:18: “A voice is heard in Ramah, weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children and refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.” You may wonder what this has to do with Herod ordering the massacre of baby boys.
Let’s go back to the original context of this prophecy. The mothers of Israel’s sons (personified by Rachel, one of Israel’s founding matriarchs) would lament the deportation of their sons into Babylonian captivity, which lasted for a period of 70 years starting around 586 BC. In other words, these sons never returned and were lost to their moms forever.
Matthew claims an additional fulfillment of this prophecy after the birth of Christ when, once again, a foreign power took Israel’s sons away, this time directly to the grave. Fair-minded estimates place the number at 20–40 males killed in the small town of Bethlehem.
God works an interesting and interwoven tale throughout Scripture of which we are only scratching the surface. We don’t understand many of the “whys” of history like these ominous prophecies, but we will one day. This is something to look forward to: “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face” (1 Corinthians 13:12).
For All Nations
“Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the LORD. “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you.”
Zechariah 2:10–11
The prophet Zechariah wrote his book under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in the years following the Jewish people’s return to Israel after the Babylonian exile. He shares a series of vivid dreams to give the people hope for the future. This was 500 years or so before the First Advent of Christ.
There are two stages to the prophecy in today’s verses. The Lord’s words were first directed toward Israel (called Daughter Zion here). While Zion is a hill in Jerusalem just outside the walls of the Old City, it also refers to Israel as a whole in the Old Testament. The Lord was telling the Jewish people through the prophet Zechariah that their promised Messiah was coming to live among them.
The second verse should really get us excited. Not only is Jesus coming for Israel, but he is also coming for the nations.
His people would not just be the Jews but would include the goyim as well (goyim is the Hebrew word for Gentiles).
Going along with the Old Testament theme for our week, Psalm 22:27–28 also declares: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the Lord, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.” Isaiah similarly prophesies: “In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream to it” (2:2).
Fast-forward to the New Testament. Just before his ascension, Jesus instructs his disciples to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The Greek word used here is ethnos , meaning “ethnic groups” or “people groups.” We can find hope and joy in the fact that this 2,000-year mission for the body of Christ will one day be completed—and hopefully soon. The Apostle John foresaw the day when there will be “a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9).
As we close this week of considering the Old Testament prophecies regarding the First Advent, it is appropriate that we do so with this global focus. Christ came for all people. His First Advent was to offer the path of salvation. His Second Advent will be to establish his kingdom on earth as it has always been in heaven.
Until he returns, we have work to do. Many people groups still don’t know Christ or even have a witness. Our task is clear. Please pray that this year, a spiritual outpouring will take place on a global scale—and that God would use you to be a catalyst for it.
A Week of Christmas Traditions
December 4–10
The Christian purpose behind how we celebrate
What’s in a Name?
At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:10–11
The title of today’s devotional is drawn from Shakespeare and the words of Juliet’s affection for Romeo: “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” This week, we will look at the celebration of Christmas, starting with the name itself. I would venture to state that the average caroler or manger-scene actor doesn’t even know how it came to be.
Let’s break down the word Christmas starting with the first syllable, Christ . Our previous Christmas devotional is called The Coming of Christos . The New Testament was written in Greek, and Christós (or Christ) means “Anointed One.” It is the translation of the Hebrew word for Messiah.
The second half of the word originates with missa , the Latin word for Mass. This refers to a worship service commemorating the Eucharist. This fancy looking word is from the Greek eucharistia , meaning gratitude or thanksgiving. It has come to
be associated with the Lord’s Supper—partaking of the bread and the wine, which symbolize the body and blood of Jesus. In other words, Eucharist is the name used by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, Orthodox, and others for Communion.
Masses are held throughout the year, not just at Christmas. So, the term Christ’s Mass means commemorating the birth of Jesus at a specific church service for the occasion, to remember that he was born to die. The term in Old English, Crīstes mæsse, first appeared in the year 1038.
There is an interesting side note to share here. Some years back there was a controversy in America when some people referred to Christmas under a different name, Xmas. It was believed by some that it was an attempt to take Christ out of Christmas. Whether or not this is true, there is good news. The original Greek for Christ is Χριστός. Notice the X at the beginning, which is the Greek letter chi . Early Christians as far back as at least the fourth century (and possibly all the way back to Christ) used X as a sacred abbreviation for his name. So, Xmas still loudly shouts the name of Christ!
As we embrace the Christian origins and traditions of Christmas this week, I encourage you to make a Christ’s Mass service part of your annual observance. We have done this with our children since they were born. You can find these services in your area with just a little research, usually with options among the final days leading up to and including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
The Final Countdown
In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4–5
The historic consensus is that the celebration of Advent dates to AD 380 and a gathering of church leaders at the Council of Saragossa in what today is Spain. The word advent comes from Latin, meaning “coming” or “arrival.” It was meant to be a season of expectation for the First and Second Comings of Christ. It was also a time of prayer and fasting like Lent is before Easter.
Advent is usually celebrated starting the fourth Sunday before Christmas. One of the main ways this is now commemorated is through the Advent wreath. Its modern form dates to 1839 in Germany when a pastor took the wooden ring from a cart wheel and decorated it with four large, white candles and 24 small, red candles. Today’s wreaths just have the four large candles, with a fifth candle in the middle that is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. They also include greenery for decoration and to symbolize eternal life, since the branches of evergreen trees are used. The circular shape also denotes eternity.
The candlelight reminds us of the verses above and when Jesus proclaimed, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
The names for each candle and what they represent are meaningful, although these labels can vary. The five candles are often known as the Prophet’s Candle, Bethlehem Candle, Shepherd’s Candle, and Angel’s Candle, with the Christ Candle in the middle. The four outer candles each represent some combination of the following six traits: love, joy, peace, hope, faith, and purity. The colors of the candles also vary depending on which tradition one follows.
There is another similar tradition worth mentioning here, and that is the Advent calendar. Once again, we return to nineteenth-century Germany for the modern roots of the Adventskalender . Christians back then would put chalk marks on doors to count down the days to Christmas.
Unlike the Advent wreaths, which start the fourth Sunday before Christmas, today’s Advent calendars usually start on December 1. They are often made of wood or paper, designed with a manger or winter theme, and have little doors that open each day, sometimes to reveal an image, date, or a treat like candy or chocolate. We have President Dwight D. Eisenhower to thank for popularizing it in America when his grandchildren were photographed with one in 1954.
Like every other tradition Christians observe for sacred purposes, Advent has also been secularized by western society. Yet, I encourage you to use either or both the Advent wreath and Advent calendar to build anticipation for Christmas. They are a great way to pause each day, look back to the Messiah’s First Advent, and look forward with excitement for his Second.
Sinterklaas
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.
Luke 4:18
Heis known the world over by many names: Saint Nicholas, Papá Noël, Babbo Natale, Sinterklaas, Santa Claus, and many more. So, who was he and what’s his true story? This is a challenging question, as it’s hard to differentiate between history, tradition, and legend, especially since this person lived in the fourth century AD in Turkey.
Nicholas was the bishop of Myra and was imprisoned and likely tortured for his faith during the reign of Roman emperor Diocletian. He may also have been a part of the Council of Nicaea in AD 325, which was convened by Emperor Constantine and was the first gathering of church leaders to deal with heresy.
What did Nicholas do? Simply put, he had a reputation for sacrificially helping the poor, especially children. Over time, myth was added to reputation, and so his assistance supposedly grew to miracles, including bringing kids back to life. Another story tied to Nicholas (whether true or not) is the origin of the Christmas stocking. He helped a poor father with three daughters by dropping gold coins down their chimney. Some
fell into the girls’ stockings, which were drying by the fireplace. The author Clement Clarke Moore further memorialized this practice in the nostalgic 1823 poem, “A Visit from St. Nicholas”: “The stockings were hung by the chimney with care / In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.”
Nicholas was eventually made a patron saint. A patron saint is someone chosen to be an intercessor and a protector for a society, a place, a church, an occupation, or a person. Giving someone this honor is a practice of not only Roman Catholicism, but Anglican and Eastern Orthodox churches as well.
So, why have I singled out the name Sinterklaas for the title of today’s study? It represents the country and culture responsible for giving Santa Claus to America. After the Protestant Reformation, the focus on Nicholas came to a near halt in Europe except in one country, Holland. It would then be Dutch colonists settling in New York City in the 1600s who brought the celebration of this man to popular culture.
The Bible verse above could certainly reflect the heart’s desire of Saint Nicholas. But make no mistake, Jesus is quoting here from Isaiah 61:1–2 to make a statement about himself.
Let me encourage you to make sure the children in your lives understand the real reason for Christmas.
Nicholas was most certainly a real person who cared about children. But he can’t bring salvation or eternal life. All the presents in the world coming from “Santa Claus” will only bring temporary joy to the kids in your life. Much like the Easter Bunny can be a distraction from the Resurrection, Santa can be a distraction from the Savior’s birth. You may see both as harmless, but you are doing a disservice to children by making them more excited for these fictional characters than the Messiah. I encourage you to prayerfully consider how you might better magnify Christ with your kids at Christmas going forward.
The Festivity of the Nativity
The time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. Luke 2:6–7
SaintNicholas was certainly not the only notable believer tied to the Christmas holiday. Today we’re going to learn about someone else you might have heard of, Saint Francis of Assisi (1181–1226). Entire books have been written about him and his writings, so this brief summary won’t do his life justice. Like Nicholas, his life has grown to mythical status, and the line with reality is blurred. Still, it seems he was deeply committed to his Savior.
Francis is the patron saint of Italy and was the founder of the Franciscans, the largest Roman Catholic religious order. Picture a man wearing a brown robe with a rope as a belt and it might be more familiar to you.
Saint Francis was known for his charisma, personality, and passion for Jesus—and for embracing a life of poverty and promoting charity. He also loved nature and animals. Upon
starting his Franciscan rule of life, he proclaimed the Regula Primitiva or “Primitive Rule.” It was simply “to follow the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ and to walk in his footsteps.”
On Christmas night in 1223, Francis decided to recreate the nativity scene. In Italian, the word is Natività; in Spanish, it is Navidad; and in French, it is Noël. The Latin root for all these words is nativitas , which means birth.
Francis created the nativity scene in a grotto (cave) near the village of Greccio in central Italy. He was inspired to do so on a previous trip to the Holy Land where he went to Bethlehem. The terrain of Greccio reminded him of Bethlehem. A local friend, Giovanni Velita, helped with the setup, creating a dip in the stone where the baby would lie and bringing in hay, an ox, and a donkey. Actors portrayed Joseph and Mary, and an image or figurine was used for Jesus. Francis also shared the gospel story.
For centuries since, Christmas plays, churches, and the front yards of homes have hosted the nativity scene (sometimes called a crèche), depicting all the visitors rolled up into one scene, however exaggerated or inaccurate.
As we consider today’s two verses from Luke’s account, a clearer summary can be presented. Joseph and Mary had to stay where the animals were kept because there was no room in the guest quarters (not an inn) of what was likely the home of Joseph’s extended family. Jesus was born, wrapped snuggly in long strips of cloth, and placed in a manger or feeding trough. This was probably a hollowed-out stone, as archaeologists have found several while excavating in Israel.
Matthew and Luke have blessed us with the ultimate nativity story—when God became man and dwelt among us. It wasn’t as glamorous or populated as some of our modern renditions might portray, but what a truly special night it was when our Savior was born.
God’s Christmas Tree
Dr. J.L. Williams
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!
2 Corinthians 9:15
Theexact origin of the Christmas tree is lost in historical uncertainty. Some see its roots in the primitive tree worship of the ancient Druids that inhabited the British Isles. Others believe that its seeds are in the soil of the Roman Empire. During the Roman festival of Saturnalia, people used evergreen branches over their doors, probably as a symbol of eternal life—a practice bitterly denounced and opposed by the early church.
One of our earliest written records of the Christmas tree is in 1604 from Strasbourg, Germany. In medieval times, evergreen trees were decorated with cookies, fruit, and, later, with candles. The practice was then introduced into England in 1841 and was ultimately brought to America by immigrants from Europe. American advertising and commercialism in turn popularized it and gave the Christmas tree worldwide exposure. Today, the Christmas tree is almost synonymous with Christmas. Few people in America could envision this season without a Christmas tree.
There is another tree we must mention: the cross. This tree was not a pretty sight to the eyes of anyone except those who
hated Christ. Unlike our modern Christmas trees with all their bright lights and ornaments, God’s tree was not one of beauty. Instead, there were thorns, nails, blood, and tears.
At the foot of this tree, the greatest gifts of all are being offered to mankind. What exactly are these spiritual gifts that God has given us? The first is the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. You cannot separate the cradle from the cross, Christ’s birth from his death. He had been born for this very reason: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The Holy Spirit is another gift. He is the source of Christ’s coming in human form through Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35). Before Christ went back to heaven, he promised that both he and the Father would send the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; 16:7).
The Holy Spirit also continues to give gifts to Christians. We are exhorted in Scripture to “eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit” (1 Corinthians 14:1). The Holy Spirit has “different kinds of gifts” (1 Corinthians 12) to give God’s people according to his will. “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,” instructed Peter (1 Peter 4:10).
After you receive the gift of the Lord Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and his gifts, there are many other wonderful spiritual gifts. God has also given us the fruit of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23).
Let me ask you: Are these spiritual gifts still under your Christmas tree? Just as little children long for their gifts, I pray that you will eagerly desire these spiritual gifts, receive them by faith, and allow them to bless your life. They are gift-wrapped for you from God with your name on them!
Presence over Presents
On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 2:11
My dad closed yesterday with a look at the spiritual gifts God gives us. Exchanging literal gifts certainly does not find its origins in Christianity. However, there are written records of this practice within the church as far back as the fourth century AD. Of course, no one can forget the wise men who brought gifts to baby Jesus. Bringing gifts was an Eastern custom, so this practice was not unusual (Genesis 43:11; 1 Samuel 9:7–8).
There is also prophetic symbolism to each gift the men brought. The gold may represent royalty, or Jesus as the coming King (Matthew 2:2). Frankincense was used by priests in the temple, and Jesus is our High Priest (Hebrews 2:17). From John 19:38–42, we know that Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea used myrrh on the body of Jesus. So, this gift from the Magi foreshadows the future fate of the Messiah.
Fast-forward many centuries, and we’ve already learned the origins of Saint Nicholas and how he was famous for giving to children. And who can forget Ebenezer Scrooge in Charles
Dickens’ A Christmas Carol ? He had a heart transformation, made a substantial donation to a charity on Christmas, and gave a large goose to the Cratchit family.
Christmas presents inevitably spread from Europe to America despite resistance early on from the Puritans and Quakers. Christmas Day became a federal holiday in 1870 and has been ingrained in our culture ever since. And as with this and many other Christmas traditions, gift-giving is celebrated by Christian and non-Christian alike because, after all, who doesn’t want presents and a special meal?!
Perhaps you would agree that what children most look forward to at Christmas are the presents they hope to receive. In my household, we try to put the emphasis on Christ before opening presents. We open one gift on Christmas Eve, and it is always the Christmas pajamas that everyone will immediately change into. In the morning, we eat breakfast first at a normal hour, then I share a brief devotional and we have communion. Only after this do we open presents.
Let me encourage you to focus on Christ’s presence and your family’s presence with each other over the physical presents, many of which won’t even be remembered by the following Christmas! Now, I’m not going to be a Scrooge and tell you to forgo giving each other presents. However, let me leave you with just a few meaningful gift ideas to add spiritual impact to your celebration:
• Give each person at least one gift that has spiritual significance, perhaps a Christian book, prayer journal, Christian-themed jewelry or clothing, etc.
• Donate to your church or a Christian non-profit for every person you give a gift to.
• Give the gift of your time and serve at a non-profit together.
• Give a meal or restaurant gift card to someone who needs it.
Shepherd’s Candy
Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29
Did you know that candy canes are the biggest selling nonchocolate treat during the holidays? The number is closing in on two billion sold annually. A candymaker out of Georgia was the first to begin mass production in the 1920s. To be honest, despite its popularity, I was initially hesitant to include a full day’s devotional about candy canes, but you’ll understand the purpose after learning the Christian-centric aspects of this sugary treat.
The prevailing story of the candy cane’s origin dates to 1670 and the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The tale goes that the choirmaster supposedly wanted the children to sit still during the long Christmas program when they weren’t singing, so he handed out sugar sticks to keep them quiet. However, it didn’t seem appropriate for the children to be sucking on sugar during such a solemn service, so he bent them into the shape of a shepherd’s crook in honor of the occasion. The reason for the shape might also have been for the purpose of hanging the candy from trees. It is important to note that, at this point, the candy was all white.
There is a more definitive paper trail indicating that this candy made its debut in Ohio in 1847. A German immigrant named August Imgard decorated a Christmas tree in his brother’s house. It was an evergreen, with a metal star on top that was made by a local blacksmith. Simple ornaments, nuts, and the white candy canes were used as decorations. Apparently, it was quite the local spectacle because the tree also revolved while a music box played. Imgard is credited with being one of the earliest people to popularize the Christmas tree as we know it today, as well as the first to put candy canes on the tree.
It wasn’t until the next century that the red peppermint stripe was added. It is interesting to note that the peppermint plant was discovered in England around the year 1700, although the ancient Egyptians also utilized it for its stomach-soothing ability. It has also been used to mask bad-tasting medicine.
What is important for our purpose today is how Christians have chosen to emphasize the spiritual components of the candy cane. We’ve already mentioned the shape being like a shepherd’s crook from the manger scene. Others point out that it can be turned upside down to look like the letter J, standing for Jesus. Still others believe the white stands for Christ washing away our sins and the red for his shed blood on the cross. Three strands of peppermint are often used, which can represent the Trinity.
The overused saying that “Jesus is the reason for the season” is still true. The larger purpose for today’s lesson is to exhort us all to use any means possible, even candy canes, to emphasize Christ at Christmas. Paul’s commitment to evangelism in all its forms rings true: “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:22–23).
A Week of Christmas Songs
December 11–17
The Christian origins of what we sing
Celebrating with Song
Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. Psalm 96:1
Singing has existed in virtually every religion for millennia. As it pertains to Christians, perhaps the psalms best represent our musical praise to the Lord. What about Christmas songs? Only 30 to 40 years after the death of the Apostle John (the last living disciple), tradition holds that Pope Telesphorus had a song called “Gloria in Excelsis Deo” sung at a Christmas Mass in Rome. It begins with the words of the angels to the shepherds outside Bethlehem. In 760, Cosmas of Jerusalem composed a Christmas song for the Greek Orthodox Church. Most early hymns and songs were written in Latin but were not popular since the general public didn’t understand Latin. We have Saint Francis of Assisi to thank for encouraging singing in one’s native language. Like many hymns and songs, the words of Christmas carols were generally paired with upbeat melodies. These songs experienced popularity in the late Middle Ages and
in the Victorian era (the late nineteenth century) through today. It has been fascinating to learn the winding path many Christmas songs have taken. Over time, legend and tradition have blurred the line between fact and fiction, since many carols go back centuries. As we look at some of the Christmas songs that we enjoy singing during this special season, let’s start with a few that are worthy of a brief mention:
“O Little Town of Bethlehem”: A preacher named Phillips Brooks of Philadelphia wrote this song in 1868 after riding to Bethlehem on horseback on Christmas Eve and being overwhelmed by the experience of retracing the journey of Joseph and Mary.
“Go Tell It on the Mountain”: John Wesley Work, Jr. (1871–1925) took on the daunting task of compiling African American spirituals that had been passed down orally from generation to generation. Among these songs was this one, and Work’s acapella group, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, helped make it popular.
“O Come, All Ye Faithful”: The origins are foggy with this song, but it probably goes back in some form to monks in the Middle Ages and was called “Adeste Fidelis.” However, John Francis Wade is credited with the English version in 1751 while exiled to France for aligning with the Jacobite rebellion in England.
“It Came Upon the Midnight Clear”: Edmund Hamilton Sears, a pastor in Massachusetts, penned this song in 1849. In poor health and distraught after the end of the Mexican-American War, he wanted to emphasize “Peace on the earth, good will to men.”
What makes Christmas songs important to our study is their role in putting the First Advent to music. Think of it: millions of nonbelievers gladly sing about the birth of Jesus every year! It is safe to conclude that it causes at least a portion of them to consider the meaning behind the songs. This week, we’ll look at other noteworthy Christmas songs that have interesting origin stories to get us in the Christian mood for celebrating Christmas.
O Holy Night
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.
Luke 2:8
In my research on Christmas songs, there was an obvious one to consider first. I think most people would agree that there is something special about “O Holy Night.” The journey of how this reverent song not only came into existence but endured through time despite various obstacles is rather amazing.
Placide Cappeau (1808–77) was a French wine merchant and lover of literature who was tasked by a local priest to write a Christmas poem. Much earlier than that, at only eight years old, he was accidentally shot in the hand, and it had to be amputated. As a result, his path going forward would be in academics.
Despite being an atheist and eventually a socialist, Placide read the story of Christ’s birth in the Gospel of Luke. The poem was called “Minuit, chrétiens” or “Midnight, Christians.” A French composer named Adolphe Adam—who may have been Jewish—set the poem to music. “Cantique de Noël” (“Christmas Carol”) debuted at a midnight Mass on Christmas Eve in 1847 in the village of Roquemaure.
When Catholic Church leaders discovered it was written by an atheist, with music possibly composed by a Jew, they banned
the song. However, it only grew in popularity. In the following decade, a transcendentalist (a follower of a cult that grew out of the Unitarian Church) and music critic in America named John Sullivan Dwight translated the song into English. He also changed some of the wording in the third verse to reflect the sentiment of abolishing slavery (see the lyrics on the next page).
Fast-forward to 1906 and a Canadian American inventor named Reginald Fessenden. He once worked for Thomas Edison and patented many inventions pertaining to radio and sonar. Using some of this newly available technology, on Christmas Eve of that year, Fessenden read from the Gospel of Luke and played “O Holy Night” on his violin. That performance has the historical distinction of being the first song ever played live over the airwaves.
It is amazing that such a beautiful Christmas song came from such an unlikely path of people. God uses a Catholic priest, an atheist poet, a Jewish composer, a transcendentalist music critic, and an inventor to bring him glory every Christmas. The song describes Jesus as Savior, Christ, King of kings, friend, and Lord. “He knows our need . . . his law is love and his gospel is peace . . . Chains shall he break . . . and in his name all oppression shall cease.” There are many Christians today who don’t even express their worship in such a passionate manner. Let us do so this Christmas!
O Holy Night
O holy night, the stars are brightly shining; It is the night of the dear Savior’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining, Till he appeared and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn!
Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices!
O night divine! O night when Christ was born!
O night divine! O night, O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming, With glowing hearts by his cradle we stand.
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming, There came the wise men from Orient land. The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger; In all our trials born to be our friend.
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Behold your King, before him lowly bend!
Truly he taught us to love one another; His law is love and his gospel is peace.
Chains shall he break, for the slave is our brother; And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we; Let all within us praise his holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise his name forever!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
His pow’r and glory evermore proclaim!
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Luke 2:13–14
Somepeople just have a gift and calling in life. They not only know it, they exercise it with vigor. This is true of Englishman Charles Wesley (1707–88). His name may ring familiar to some of you, as he’s the brother of John Wesley and co-founder of the Methodist Church.
Charles’ story is of special interest to me because both my grandfather and my father were ordained ministers in the Methodist Church. My parents met at a Methodist college, and my dad eventually changed to non-denominational in the years following the founding of this ministry.
Anyway, Charles wrote over 6,500 hymns over the course of his life. Only Fanny Crosby, a blind teacher and mission worker, wrote more—8,000 of them! (Among her most well-known hymns are “Blessed Assurance” and “To God Be the Glory.”)
Charles received a master’s degree from Oxford University in England in classical languages and literature, was ordained a priest in the Church of England, and served a stint as a missionary to the Georgia colony in America. He married Sarah Gwynne, but, sadly, only three of their eight children survived childhood.
I daresay that most believers under the age of 50 barely know any hymns unless they go to a smaller, more traditional church. So, you may or may not recognize some of Charles’ best-known hymns, such as “O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing,” “And Can It Be,” and “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.”
In 1739, only a year after being converted, Charles wrote a poem after walking to church on Christmas Day and being inspired by the sound of church bells ringing out in London. The first line was, “Hark how all the welkin rings / Glory to the King of Kings.” This strange word, welkin, means sky or clouds, and Charles’ intention was to paint a picture of how the heavenly host rang out with joy at Christ’s birth.
Charles published this hymn along with many others in Sacred Hymns and Poems that same year. It was an evangelist and friend of the Wesley brothers named George Whitefield who later adjusted the first two lines to read “Hark! the herald angels sing / Glory to the newborn King.” He made a few other minor changes and published it in Hymns for Social Worship in 1753.
The story of the melody is just as interesting. Charles intended the song to be solemn and had written ten stanzas. The famous composer Felix Mendelssohn had created an upbeat melody to celebrate 400 years since Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. A second composer, named William Hayman Cummings, paired Whitefield’s revised lyrics to Mendelssohn’s secular score, and the rest is history.
As you celebrate the newborn King this year, imagine you are walking with Charles to church on Christmas Day and are overwhelmed by the thought of the heavenly host loudly worshipping. You’ll one day get to worship him in person!
Hark! The Herald Angels Sing
Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King: Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!” Joyful, all ye nations, rise, Join the triumph of the skies; With th’angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Refrain: Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King.”
Christ, by highest heav’n adored, Christ, the everlasting Lord, Late in time behold him come, Offspring of the Virgin’s womb: Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased as man with men to dwell, Jesus, our Immanuel. [Refrain]
Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness! Light and life to all he brings, Ris’n with healing in his wings. Mild he lays his glory by, Born that we no more may die, Born to raise the sons of earth, Born to give them second birth. [Refrain]
Joy to the World
Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music . . . shout for joy before the Lord, the King.
Psalm 98:4, 6
In addition to its popularity at Christmas, there are two interesting facts about “Joy to the World” that make it worthy of deeper discovery. First, it was written after heartbreak, and second, it was not necessarily intended to be a Christmas song. Let’s dive in and discover the origin story.
Isaac Watts (1674–1748) was an English minister who was also a writer of hymns and poems. His father was imprisoned at Isaac’s birth for being a Nonconformist; that is, not aligning with the beliefs and practices of the Church of England. Two of his most well-known hymns include “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” and “This Is the Day That the Lord Has Made.” His writings and hymns grew in popularity in England, and one of his admirers was a woman named Elizabeth Singer. Although letter writing is foreign to today’s younger generations, it was incredibly common for centuries. Elizabeth and Isaac had never met or exchanged photographs, but they began to exchange letters and fell in love through the mail. She was so
smitten with his eloquence that she proposed to him! They made plans to meet, and when they did, she was so turned off by his physical appearance that she called off the engagement. Isaac was obviously devastated—so much so that he never pursued another woman or marriage for the rest of his life. Instead, he continued to devote himself to writing.
Watts found solace in the psalms and saw Jesus foreshadowed in the words. One of the passages where Isaac found consolation was Psalm 98 (see above). He saw Jesus as King of the church and the world. This was his inspiration in 1719 for writing a book of poems that included “Joy to the World.” However, this book wasn’t the reason the song didn’t catch on. Many Christians at the time didn’t like that he had changed the words of the psalms in his poems.
Many years after Watts’ death, there was a composer of hymns named Lowell Mason who published a book of songs that gained both of them notoriety. Inspired by famous composer George Frideric Handel, Mason created the music for a song in 1836 but couldn’t come up with the words to properly match the melody. Three years later, he read some of Watts’ writings, and “Joy to the World” was a perfect match.
While Watts never explained the lyrics to this song, the words clearly point more to Jesus’ Second Coming than his First. However, there is no doubt that the joy and worship expressed in these lyrics are true for our adoration of Christ in general and, in this case, to celebrate his birth. Let us express joy this Christmas and pray that it truly spreads to the whole world.
Joy to the World
Joy to the world! the Lord is come; Let earth receive her King; Let ev’ry heart prepare him room, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n and nature sing, And heav’n, and heav’n and nature sing.
Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns; Let men their songs employ, While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat the sounding joy, Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.
No more let sins and sorrows grow, Nor thorns infest the ground; He comes to make his blessings flow Far as the curse is found, Far as the curse is found, Far as, far as the curse is found.
He rules the world with truth and grace, And makes the nations prove The glories of his righteousness, And wonders of his love, And wonders of his love, And wonders, wonders of his love.
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
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 1:22–23
Whenyou sing “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” in a church service or just listen to it for yourself, you might think it has echoes of a Gregorian chant. You know what I’m talking about: the stereotype portrayed in the media of monks sitting in large, cavernous monasteries or cathedrals and singing in somber unison.
However, to fully appreciate this Christmas song, we are going to discuss a term that will probably be new to most of you. The word is antiphon , and it is a short line or chant that precedes a Christian hymn. It is derived from the Greek word antiphōnos , which means “responsive” or “sounding in answer.” It is recited before and after the main content.
The roots of the antiphon could very well go back to the time when the psalms were written and then sung or recited out loud. Use of the antiphon during the Christmas season dates back to the sixth or seventh century. Many branches of the
Christian faith have continued this tradition in various forms to this day.
In the Catholic tradition, for example, there are seven “O Antiphons” remembered during the Advent season, specifically during the evening prayers between December 17 and 23. Think of our English expression of awe or amazement, “O!” They accompany (are antiphons to) the Magnificat, which is the prayer of Mary found in Luke 1:46–55 after learning she was pregnant with the Messiah. She starts out by proclaiming, “My soul magnifies the Lord . . .” (nkjv).
Each of the seven O’s highlights a name for Jesus in the book of Isaiah, which pairs well with our first week’s focus on some of the Old Testament prophecies. Here they are with their Latin equivalent:
O Sapientia : Wisdom from the Most High
O Adonai : Lord and Ruler
O Radix Jesse : Root of Jesse
O Clavis David : Key of David
O Oriens : Dayspring or Morning Star
O Rex Gentium : King of the Nations
O Emmanuel : God with Us
It is this seventh and final day that is of interest to us. “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” is not only the culmination of the O Antiphons but is a compilation of them. All these titles are found in similar form in the first line of each stanza in the song.
It is also interesting to note the first letter of these titles, listed from last to first, form the Latin acrostic Ero Cras . Translated, this means “tomorrow, I will be there,” further affirming the message of the O Antiphons and the message of the coming Messiah. Today, just as with Christ’s First Coming, we long for his appearing a second and final time (2 Timothy 4:8). O Come, O Come Emmanuel!
O Come, O Come Emmanuel
O come, O come, Emmanuel, And ransom captive Israel, That mourns in lonely exile here Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain: Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.
O come, O Wisdom from on high, And order all things, far and nigh; To us the path of knowledge show, And teach us in her ways to go. [Refrain]
O come, O come, great Lord of might, Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height In ancient times did give the law In cloud and majesty and awe. [Refrain]
O come, O Branch of Jesse’s stem, Unto your own and rescue them! From depths of hell your people save, And give them victory o’er the grave. [Refrain]
O come, O Key of David, come And open wide our heav’nly home; Make safe the way that leads on high, And close the path to misery. [Refrain]
O come, O Bright and Morning Star, And bring us comfort from afar! Dispel the shadows of the night And turn our darkness into light. [Refrain]
O come, O King of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind. Bid envy, strife, and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace. [Refrain]
Silent Night
The time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
Luke 2:6–7
InApril 1815, a volcano erupted on Sumbawa Island in what is today Indonesia. Mount Tambora was the largest eruption in recorded history, and tens of thousands died either as a direct result or later due to the famine and disease that followed. 1816 was dubbed “the year without a summer” due to toxic gases in the atmosphere blocking sunlight and lowering global temperatures, resulting in a loss of crops and social upheaval.
This eruption took place at the close of the Napoleonic Wars, which ended in 1815 with the infamous Battle of Waterloo. So, Europe was truly reeling from two destructive events back-to-back.
It was in this setting that a young priest named Joseph Mohr was serving the Lord in the small, picturesque town of Mariapfarr in the Salzburg region of Austria. His congregation was no doubt traumatized and in great need. Mohr composed a poem called “Stille Nacht” in 1816 to encourage his readers. Each of the four verses had a clear theme of hope: “All is calm,
all is bright . . . Darkness flies, all is light . . . Son of God, love’s pure light . . . Wondrous star, lend thy light.”
Mohr transferred to the town of Oberndorf the following year. He was a violinist and guitarist, but he asked a friend there named Franz Xaver Gruber, who was a schoolteacher and organist, to compose the music. On Christmas Eve 1818 they performed the song in Saint Nicholas Church.
The popularity of the song grew as it was picked up by traveling folk singers who sang it across Europe and eventually in New York City on Christmas in 1839. The English translation was made by an Episcopal priest named John Freeman Young 20 years later.
Its impact was perhaps most obvious when it played a role in the Christmas Truce of 1914 during World War I. It is believed that on Christmas Eve, “Silent Night” was one of the songs that German and British troops sang to each other across the battlefields of the Western Front. They eventually met in the no-man’s-land between trenches, and the fragile, unofficial truce lasted a couple of days for the sake of Christmas.
Silent Night is perhaps the most widespread Christmas song, having been translated into over 300 languages. It was named an “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) in 2011.
The next time you sing this song, think about what it would be like to do so after a bleak time caused by a natural disaster, during an unprecedented war, or in the midst of whatever storm you are facing. Amid life’s struggles, we can pause and take a moment to reflect on our Savior, who said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
Silent Night
Silent night, holy night, All is calm, all is bright Round yon virgin mother and child! Holy Infant so tender and mild, Sleep in heavenly peace, Sleep in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night, Darkness flies, all is light; Shepherds hear the angels sing, “Alleluia! hail the King! Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.”
Silent night, holy night, Son of God, love’s pure light Radiant beams from Thy holy face, With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth, Jesus, Lord, at Thy birth.
Silent night, holy night, Wondrous star, lend the light; With the angels let us sing Alleluia to our King; Christ the Savior is born, Christ the Savior is born.
What Child Is This?
Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. Luke 2:11–12
If you are a Christian long enough, you will learn that God speaks to us through our pain, our loss, and our disappointment. He uses these things to draw us close, to strengthen, not weaken, our faith and reliance on him. Jesus boldly stated, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). When the tough stuff happens, our goal should be to respond like Job did to God amid his tremendous heartbreak: “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15).
This sets the stage well for our research into the life of Englishman William Chatterton Dix (1837–98). Dix was the son of an alcoholic father, John, who was imprisoned for not paying his debts after his medical practice failed. John abandoned the family and moved to America when William was only eight years old.
As an adult, William went into insurance, got married, and raised his family in Glasgow, Scotland. He was also a hymn
writer and poet. At age 29, he nearly died from an illness and was confined to his bed for months, which led to depression. Eventually, however, it energized his faith and led to producing a lot of his writing.
One of his poems was called “The Manger Throne,” and it is worth finding and reading on the internet. Here is one of the powerful stanzas:
Now a new Power has come on the earth, A match for the armies of Hell: A Child is born who shall conquer the foe, And all the spirits of wickedness quell: For Mary’s Son is the Mighty One Whom the prophets of God fortell.
William wrote two notable Christmas songs during this challenging time. One is called “As With Gladness Men of Old” and focused on the wise men. Here are the first words of the song so the title will make more sense: “As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold . . .” These lyrics are also worth reading because every verse ends with a practical application for us.
The second song is “What Child Is This?” and the lyrics dealt first with the visit by the shepherds. Interestingly, this came to be sung to the ballad of “Greensleeves,” a traditional English folk song from the late 1500s about a man serenading a standoffish woman. What an unlikely combination!
God uses our pain for his glory. William Dix had no idea God would use his hard childhood, debilitating illness, and depression to produce a song that has been and will be sung by untold millions for years to come. What might he do through your pain and suffering? You never know, so keep your faith in him!
What Child Is This?
What Child is this who, laid to rest, On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet, While shepherds watch are keeping? This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
Why lies he in such mean estate, Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here The silent Word is pleading.
[Nails, spear, shall pierce him through, The cross be borne for me, for you; Hail, hail the Word made flesh, The Babe, the Son of Mary.]*
So bring him incense, gold, and myrrh, Come peasant, king to own him; The King of kings salvation brings, Let loving hearts enthrone him. [Raise, raise the song on high, The virgin sings her lullaby; Joy, joy for Christ is born, The Babe, the Son of Mary.]*
*Some versions use as a chorus : This, this is Christ the King, Whom shepherds guard and angels sing; Haste, haste to bring him laud, The Babe, the Son of Mary.
A Week of Christmas Reflections
December 18–24
The fullness of time
Dr. J.L. Williams
A Time for Divine Invasion
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.
Matthew 1:21
It is the joyous Christmas season. And as the popular song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” For weeks leading up to the special day, preparations intensify and expectations increase, especially among children and all those who are still young at heart.
This yearning and longing for a divine invasion is not a new one. The Jewish people prayed for the Advent of God’s promised Messiah for over a thousand years. That’s a long time to wait for Christmas! But, finally, “when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman” (Galatians 4:4; more on this verse on another day). And this is what this week’s study is about—the fullness of time.
From the perspective of the Jewish people, the time for this divine invasion did not seem right. God’s calendar seemed to be out of sync with the realities of their world. Most Israelites did not want a Messiah who would “save his people from their
sins,” as Gabriel had announced to Joseph (Matthew 1:21). It was not liberation from sin or holiness of life they were seeking. They prayed for the Advent of God’s promised Messiah, who would save them from the Roman legions occupying Israel. They wanted the liberation of their beloved Holy Land and Holy City.
It seemed like the worst possible time for God to send his Messiah as a helpless little baby in the arms of a newly married Jewish teenager. A Messiah in a manger seemed like a contradiction in terms, totally unexpected and unacceptable. Such a Messiah was untimely and unwanted.
Both time and causality are generally a mystery to humans. God’s sovereign manipulation and redemptive intervention in history always catches people off guard. From humankind’s perspective, God is either too early or too late, but seldom right on time. He seems to show up after the irreversibly wrong decision has been made, after the bankruptcy has occurred, after the prodigal son leaves home in rebellion, after the sickness has become terminal, and so on. After, after, after, but seldom before. Or so it often seems.
God’s perspective of time is almost always different from ours—whether then or now. His foreordained plan of a redemptive incursion seemed so inappropriate and untimely, as this Messiah did not fit the religious mold or mindset of the day. However, Christ had come to deal with the root of humankind’s problem, not the fruit. He was first coming for redemption— not for revolution.
God almost always does the unexpected, unthinkable, and unimaginable. And the divine invasion that is celebrated at Christmas is the greatest proof!
A Time for Peace
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. Luke 2:1
Among the peoples of antiquity, the Jews were unique in their messianic expectation. While other oppressed people may have longed for a Messiah figure who would appear and deliver them, they did not expect that person to come from their gods but rather arise from among their own. The Jews had received a unique revelation of a personal God who was intimately involved with the world he had created. They alone had this understanding of a holy God, a sinful humanity, and a sacrificial system that necessitated and pointed to a messianic intervention. Only one sent by God could balance the spiritual and social scales of justice that were so radically out of balance.
As God seemed to tarry indefinitely in fulfilling his many promises to send such an Anointed One, messianic expectations waned more and more. In the hearts of many Jewish people, this hope died altogether. And from time to time, when those expectations were revived, they were more for a political messiah who would deliver them from Rome than for a spiritual messiah who would deliver them from their sins.
Little did they realize that some of the very political events that had taken place over the long centuries of waiting were sovereignly orchestrated by God to prepare the way for his Messiah.
By the time Jesus was born into the world, the Roman Empire was at its zenith of power, a period known as the Pax Romana , or Roman Peace. They had conquered the known world, and virtually all military and political challengers had been subjugated.
It is easy to see how this “universal peace” created and maintained by Rome would make the preaching of the gospel easier and quicker throughout the entire empire. And from God’s perspective, the preaching of this good news about the coming of the Messiah was an integral part of his plan to communicate this message to the entire world. If it had been a time of revolution, war, and anarchy, the message of the Messiah would have been propagated very slowly.
Peace was necessary for preaching and spreading the gospel. And because Rome had established this almost universal peace, it was the fullness of time for God to send his Messiah. Caesar’s peace would make the message of the Prince of Peace go to the ends of the Roman Empire before the end of the first century.
Today, we wait for the final fulfillment of the gospel’s global spread. The good news of Christ’s First Coming must continue to extend beyond the ancient boundaries of the Roman Empire to every ethnic group, and then his Second Coming will occur (Matthew 24:14). Until then, may the “peace of Christ rule in your hearts” (Colossians 3:15).
A Time to Hit the Road
Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.
Luke 2:4
In addition to the relative political stability brought about by the Pax Romana, the Roman roads were another reason why it was the fullness of time for God to send his Messiah. To maintain their world dominance, the Roman emperors had built excellent roads throughout their empire. Each leader extended the roads further than his predecessor. Therefore, as the empire expanded, so did their system of roads.
The Milliarium Aureum, or Golden Milestone, was a column erected by Caesar Augustus at the center of Rome. It was the starting point of all roads outward. Thus, the saying that “all roads lead to Rome.”
We all know from the New Testament that John the Baptist was the forerunner to Jesus Christ. It was this cousin of Jesus who would fulfill the prophetic words of Isaiah and “prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him” (Luke 3:4). It is
also interesting to note that this same prophecy predicted that “every valley shall be filled in, every mountain and hill made low. The crooked roads shall become straight, the rough ways smooth. And all people will see God’s salvation” (Luke 3:5–6).
Joseph and Mary traveled from Nazareth to Bethlehem (Luke 2:4) and from Bethlehem to Egypt (Matt 2:13–15). Jesus basically walked everywhere he went, unless he took a journey by boat on the Sea of Galilee. The good roads around Palestine were those “he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues” (Mark 1:39). It was also these roads that made travel and evangelism easier when Jesus sent out the Twelve and later the 72 “from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere” (Luke 9:1–6; 10:1).
The Apostle Paul would later take the gospel to the very heart of the Roman Empire. He was primarily called to pioneer evangelism and church planting. It was his passion and “ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else’s foundation” (Romans 15:20). All this was made possible in part by the good Roman roads on which he could travel.
You cannot separate the message of Christmas from missions. They are inseparable. The message of Christmas mandates global missions. And, like Paul, we cannot rest—and dare not rest—until we have reached all the yet-unreached with the gospel of Christ. This is what Christmas is really all about. I encourage you this season to view your Christmas travel in light of this and share the real reason for the season. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10:15).
A Time for Greek
But the angel said to [the shepherds], “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Luke 2:10
Whatlanguage did the angels speak to the shepherds? Was it Hebrew, Aramaic, or something else? Since both the Law and Prophets first came to the Jews, as well as the Gospels, they were originally received and communicated in the Hebrew culture and language. Yet only a small minority of the world spoke Hebrew or understood the Jewish worldview.
Historians tell us that, for all practical purposes, Hebrew was a forgotten language for at least a hundred years before the coming of Christ. While the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, the ordinary Jewish person could no longer read or understand it. Most Jews—including Jesus—spoke an everyday language related to Hebrew known as Aramaic.
Jesus was born a Jew and lived and died without ever leaving Palestine. How was his message to go to the ends of the earth? The linguistic vehicle could not be Hebrew or Aramaic. Otherwise, Christianity would have forever been a religion of a few converted Jews in Palestine.
Within 30 years of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, however, his story had travelled all over Asia Minor, Greece, and
Rome. Another language made this rapid dissemination of the Christian message possible: Greek. Even after the fall of Greece following the death of Alexander the Great, the Greek culture and language continued to dominate Rome.
While the Hebrew language is composed of some 10,000 primary words, the Greek language has over 200,000 words. Greek has a linguistic richness, diversity, and preciseness that could synthesize and communicate the eternal truths God gave to the Jews with the philosophical understanding of the Greek mind.
By the time of the birth of Christ, Classical Greek was the most prominent language of literature, philosophy, and culture for the educated. A more simplified Greek dialect, Koine (meaning “common”) Greek, had evolved over time and was the form of Greek that was dominant by the birth of Christ.
One of the things that aided the popularity of Koine Greek was the Septuagint, a translation of the Jewish Scriptures from Hebrew and Aramaic into Greek made in the third century BC in Egypt. And it linguistically paved the way for the New Testament to be translated and communicated in Koine Greek. So, there was a sovereignly orchestrated historic and linguistic partnership between the world powers of Rome and Greece to prepare the way for the Messiah.
The Christian Advent is a historic event that must be articulated verbally. Whether proclaimed in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek, the angel Gabriel verbally announced this good news to Joseph and Mary, and the angels heralded it to the shepherds in words and song. And this is why Christians have been preaching, teaching, and sharing the gospel all over the world ever since.
As you go through the Christmas season, make sure that you communicate through word and deed the real meaning of this blessed time of year. Christmas is the fullness of time for us to talk about our faith in Jesus Christ in any and every language.
A Time for the Word to Become Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. . . . The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. John 1:1–2, 14
Whatwould make the Messiah relevant to both Jew and Gentile alike? Since they did not have a common religion, culture, or language, where could they find mutual understanding? Was there a place where revelation and reason could meet as friends rather than enemies? Absolutely! That place of commonality was the prevailing understanding in both the Jewish and Greek mindset of the concept of the Word of God. Through the revelation of Scripture, the Jews had a clear concept of the power of the Word of God. In their thinking, the Word of God had a power like nothing else in the universe. The only thing more powerful than the Word of God was the person of God. Therefore, because of the revelation of the Scriptures to the Jews, the Word of God had inexpressible power.
Here was the commonality, then, between Jewish and Greek thought. The Greek word that was used for this unique Word
of God was logos . It generally had a dual meaning of both word and wisdom, of revelation and reason. This logos was the guiding force inside and outside the universe. Long before the Christmas Advent, Greek philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had been teaching about the concept of the logos. It had become the loftiest concept in their thinking and reasoning. You might even say that it was their “god concept.”
It was this logos of Greek philosophy that gave the Apostle John the perfect theological bridge between the Jewish Word of God and the philosophical reasoning of the Greek mind. While Matthew and Luke begin with the birth of Christ to Joseph and Mary in Bethlehem, John goes back into eternity past and begins with the eternal logos of God. This is the Christmas story from John’s Gospel.
John was demonstrating to the Greek mindset that this logos, this divine power, created the world, sustains it, and gives it order. While their logos was transcendent and impersonal, the true logos of God is very personal. In fact, this eternal Word is Jesus Christ who came down from heaven to live among us. He is the logos incarnated in human flesh.
While the Greeks wanted to think their way to heaven, the Jews wanted to work their way to heaven. Both are dead-end spiritual streets. Jesus made it clear that each of us must “become like little children” if we are going to “enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3). This is what Christmas annually reminds us of. Since Christ, the Word, the logos, humbled himself and came into the world as an infant in a manger, we too must humble ourselves through repentance and faith if we are to enter the kingdom he came to bring.
A Time for the True King
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?” . . .
When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:1–3
The“Jewish problem” in the remote region of Palestine remained a perpetual political tinder box of discontent that kept igniting into open conflict with the Pax Romana. Both secular and sacred history record that Palestine had been such a complex religious-racial-social problem that it had been the undoing of several promising political careers. But at this time, King Herod, or “Herod the Great,” was doing a pretty good job of placating and manipulating the Jews. He was also a good military tactician and brilliant builder. Some of his palaces and fortresses remain to this day throughout the Holy Land. And the temple he built for the Jews was surpassed only by the original one built by Solomon.
Part of the reason for Herod’s success was that he was from
a half-Jewish family of Idumean descent. Idumea was the Greek name for Edom. The Edomites were descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. They became a strong kingdom that often fought with their half-brothers, the Jews. In fact, there are more judgments against Edom than any other nation mentioned in the Old Testament.
With this understanding of the Edomites, remember afresh King Herod’s role in the Christmas narratives, especially Matthew’s account. Because of his success as a ruler, Rome first made him Procurator of Galilee. Then in 37 BC, Rome honored him with the title “King of the Jews,” a title that enraged the Jewish nationalists and zealots of Palestine. In their minds, an Idumean could never be their king!
Like many political leaders, as he grew older he became more and more paranoid and capricious, as tyrants and demigods usually do. As a result, he killed several of his own sons and wives because he feared that they were plotting against him to take over his throne. A popular proverb arose in Palestine that opined, “It is safer to be Herod’s pig than one of his sons!”
Is it any wonder, then, that when the Magi arrived in Herod’s court asking, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews?”, his heart was smitten with terror. This resulted in his cunning intrigue to try and get the Magi to find this new Jewish contender to his throne and return to him with a full report. Then, with decisive and deadly action, Herod would deal with him as he had all other rivals to his throne.
When an angel of the Lord warned these visitors from the East to not return to Herod, he was enraged. The result was the slaughter of all the innocent young boy babies in Bethlehem two years old and under. So, King Herod played a very significant part in the history of Palestine and especially in the Christmas story. The time of the one true King had finally arrived! Let us worship him and him alone.
The Fullness of Time
When the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.
Galatians 4:4
Christmas annually reminds us that God is always right on time, at least from his perspective. According to his celestial watch, it was in the exact fullness of time for him to send forth his Son to redeem the world. All of history had been building toward this redemptive rendezvous, literally since before time began (Revelation 13:8). And this divine invasion would forever split time. Christ would divide human history in two between BC and AD.
From the very first moment of creation, Christmas was an absolute certainty. Man’s primal sin and fall from a state of spiritual innocence made Christmas a redemptive necessity. From God’s perspective, human history had been moving in a straight line from the Garden of Eden to the manger in Bethlehem, and then from the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes to the Son of Man crucified, wrapped in a burial shroud, and laid in a tomb. And just as the baby Jesus did not remain in the manger of Bethlehem, he did not remain in the tomb outside Jerusalem. To better understand Christmas as the perfect timing for God’s divine invasion, let’s examine key words in today’s verse
a bit more. First, let’s look at the word fullness . Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul begins by saying, “when the time had fully come,” or as the King James Version renders it: “in the fullness of time.”
The word in the original language that Paul uses for “fullness” is pleroma . It is a very rich and significant word, meaning something brought to completion. Paul reminds his readers (and us) that the first Christmas came at just the right time. It was not capricious or coincidental. As God’s promised Messiah, Jesus came exactly at the right time, the time God had foreordained before the creation of the world. It was the perfect fullness of God’s timetable for Christ’s First Advent. And the time for his Second Advent is just as exact and certain.
Let’s also look at the word for time. In the Greek it is the word chronos . Just as it sounds, it means chronological time like we measure with a clock or calendar, whether a long or short space of time. From the popular Jewish understanding of the day, it had come to mean a very long time between God’s promise of a Messiah through his prophets and then his fulfilling that promise.
We need to understand the phrase “sent forth” as well. It is the word exapostello , from which the word apostle comes from, and it means someone who is a messenger, delegate, or sent one. This kind of divine messenger is sent from God to the world with a specific commission, which is exactly who Jesus the Messiah was.
The Bible teaches us in this crucial Christmas verse that when the time was exactly right, God sent his long-awaited Messiah. And, wonder of wonders, he sent him forth as an infant in the womb of a young virgin named Mary. The great message of Christmas is that the sovereign, eternal God not only created time but is also redemptively working from within time for our blessing and benefit. This is what Christmas is really all about. So, let’s redeem the time by spreading his Word.
Do Not Be Afraid
Dr. J.L. Williams
Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:20
As I have been reading over the Christmas story again this year, one phrase has jumped out of the Bible over and over again. Depending on your translation, it is the phrase “do not be afraid” or “fear not.” It was a message of God through his angel to Zechariah and Elizabeth (Luke 1:13), to Joseph (Matthew 1:20), to Mary (Luke 1:30), and to the shepherds (Luke 2:10).
Why did God’s angel in all these encounters begin with this? Because God always comes to us at our point of greatest need, at our point of fear. He knows that fear is man’s greatest problem and its oldest emotional enemy.
There are two kinds of fear: rational and irrational. Do you remember the story of Adam and Eve? The first result of their broken relationship with God was fear. When God sought them out in their hiding place in the garden, Adam said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid” (Genesis 3:10). Their fear caused them to cover themselves and hide.
Fear always causes us to hide from life. We hide from God due to his holiness. We hide our sinfulness and insecurities from others. This fear comes in many forms and has many faces. It could be acute anxiety, nonstop worrying, an ominous sense of dread, phobias, and depression. There is no doubt we have a fear psychosis today. We are a nation of perpetual handwringers.
Man’s greatest fear (or at least it should be) is fear of God. Another is fear related to self. These are often expressed by thoughts and feelings like “I am not adequate,” “I don’t measure up,” “I am a failure,” or “people will not accept me.” There are also fears related to life, like “my life doesn’t count,” “my life has no meaning,” or “my life is stuck in a rut.” There is fear of the future, of things such as pain, sickness, sorrow, and death. Will I be able to cope? I’m afraid I can’t handle this!
What fears lurk just beneath the surface of your life? What are the fears that you have to battle with constantly? Are you winning over fear, or is fear defeating you? The only cure to fear is found in a relationship with God.
The Bible says “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). This is the solution for the fears of your life: realize that God loves you and will never reject you. Jesus said, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). He can help you overcome the fears of your life.
One of the messages of Christmas is peace on earth (Luke 2:14). This message is so desperately needed in our fearridden, anxiety-filled age. I invite you to open your life to his love and peace through Jesus this Christmas.
The First Advent
The Advent season is a time when Christians and non-Christians alike celebrate the birth of Christ and the light he shines into the darkness. Beginning with Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, The First Advent explores the origins of some of our most beloved Christmas traditions. In a culture filled with noise and distraction, our task is to use the songs, symbols, and activities we associate with this season to reveal God’s truth. Truly the greatest gift is sharing that “on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.” May you be filled with the joy of Advent!
About the authors
Joseph Williams serves as CEO of Feed the Hunger, a Christian mission organization based in North Carolina. He is an ordained minister, has a Master’s degree in Ministry, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate in Ministry. He has been in full-time ministry for nearly 30 years, traveling for the sake of the Gospel to 45 countries. He has written numerous books, devotionals, and studies to help Christians grow in their walk with the Lord and to reach nonbelievers with the truth of Jesus Christ.
Dr. J.L. Williams wanted his readers to be challenged to deepen their walk with the Lord and expand their Christian worldview. At the time of his death in 2016, he regularly corresponded with over 60 international leaders in 18 countries. He and his wife, Patt, were married for 52 years (plus one day!) and have 4 married children and 12 grandchildren.