Grace 2

Jeremiah 33:14-16

Last year we gave our family the gift of a digital video camera. It was no surprise to anyone. We had planned to buy one.

To make it so we could get more of a gift for our money we even decided that the gift could wait until after Christmas. We took the money we had accumulated from gifts and the money set aside for the camera and went out a few days after Christmas. We bought a much better camera than we originally could afford because we got one that was on sale. The waiting paid off.

The prophet Jeremiah gives an indication of hope to the people of God. What does God hint at? From which important family will the promise emerge? What will this promise do?

The people of God, the Jewish people, were waiting for a salvation from the Lord for ages. They waited lifetime after lifetime for a Messiah to come. Their prophets foretold of this Savior’s arrival. He would be born in Israel, in the land of Judah. He would be a descendent of the House of David, a descendent of that great king.

And when he came he would bring righteousness. He would bring salvation.

Now we might see this prophecy and this story as something old and tired. The prophecy has been fulfilled. Why do we need to worry about it now?

Yes, Jesus has been sent to the world and the event happened two-thousand years ago. Yes, Jesus has brought righteousness and salvation. But have we accepted the truth of all this? Is this story one that rings true in our hearts?

We can so often be distracted from the immensity of God’s love. We can allow the traditions of our holidays to take us away from how profound the gift of Jesus is.

To truly celebrate Christmas let us turn our hearts and minds to the praise and worship of him who was sent to bring salvation. We may not be waiting for the Messiah in the same way the ancient Hebrews did, but we may not have turned our hearts over to the Christ-child the way we should. Let your waiting end and turn to worship the Savior this Christmas. It is not too late to worship God at this holiday season.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can the gift of God gain new life in your heart this year?