“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
– Hark the Herald Angels Sing
Genesis 3:1-15, Psalm 132:11-18, Isaiah 54:4-10
Created for Fellowship
Holy God created the world. He created time and space, heaven and earth, sky and sea. After creating each space, God filled it all. He made stars to give light and plants to bear fruit. God filled the earth with beauty, order, and design so that he could place his greatest creation in its midst: mankind.
Man was created to have fellowship with God. He was designed to bear God’s image. His purpose was to tend the world and, in doing so, bring glory to God.
The Breaking of Creation
But, man broke God’s perfect creation. The day Adam took the fruit from Eve, everything good began to come undone. Sin permeated every facet of creation. It filled every space with death.
Our story should have ended that day. But God did not want to remain separated from man forever. He promised to send a Redeemer who would buy back his people—a Rescuer that would make everything new.
So, the rest of history began to tell a new story. The world was now filled with death. God began preparing to fill it with life once more.
The Promise Moves Through History
History moved forward after Eden. The earth was filled with nations, priests, and kings. Every hardship echoed the cry of separation from God. Each year plunged the world closer towards the promised rescuer.
In the middle of history, God raised up a king whose throne he would establish forever. Out of the line of David would come the covenant keeping, sin crushing, rest giving King. This king would put the Enemy to shame. His light would shine forever.
The Arrival of the Rescuer
God brought forth the snake-crushing king from the humblest of homes. King Jesus was born not to rain fire but to bring peace. From a humble manger to rugged cross, Jesus came to bring rest from striving, sin, and death.
We remember the name whose fame extends to every corner of the earth. Jesus came to shepherd his people back to fellowship with God. He paid the price for sin to bring us hope for the future.
Hope Anchored in the Whole Gospel
Our hope is anchored in remembering the whole gospel. Holy God wants to have a relationship with us. Our sin makes that impossible. By the grace of God he took our impossible and made it possible by sacrificing his own son to rescue us from sin and death.
Hope does not stop at salvation. For those who have life in Christ, our hope extends into eternity. Sin and death still follow us on this earth, but they will not overtake us. Though we may face great trials or deep hurts, we can rest in this: the steadfast love of the Lord will not depart from us. God is making everything new, and he began by sending his Son into the world for us.
