Christmas . . . Reconnecting With The Ancient

I have been known to comfort myself with . . . history, of all things. This is especially true for me with today’s headlines being so full of chaos, war, human pain, and suffering.

And just how does reading about the past bring me solace, one might ask? Well, revisiting history can be more than memorizing the dates of when “this king conquered that king,” or when “this civilization replaced that one.”

History is really about people and their relationships with each other. It’s also about good triumphing over evil. Some of us need reminding that good does win out in the end.

I remember asking my mother if she, as a teenager, was afraid during World War II. She replied, “Of course! We didn’t know how it was going to end.” I guess I can identify with her now more than ever. Some of today’s events feel like the days just preceding that worldwide conflict.

This is when I take comfort in the ancient words. Almost 700 years before the first Christmas, some 2,700 years ago, the prophet Isaiah was writing,

“Remember the former things long past,
For I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is no one like Me
Declaring the end from the beginning,
And from ancient times things which have not been done,
Saying, ‘My plan will be established,
And I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”
Isaiah 46:9-10 NASB

The prophet Isaiah is also the one who brought us some of the most beautiful words ever written foretelling the birth of Christ,

“For a Child will be born to us, a Son will be given to us;
And the government will rest on His shoulders;
And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Eternal Father, Prince of Peace.”
Isaiah 9:6 NASB

During this Christmas season, may you also be comforted in knowing our God knows the end from the beginning, and He is taking a very active role in the world He created.

Jesus was indeed born in Bethlehem, just as it was foretold. In fact, every ancient prophecy about Him was fulfilled. This story is old but true. That’s why we celebrate His birth. He came to overcome the darkness. As He Himself said,

“I am the Light of the world;
the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the Light of life.”
John 8:12 NASB.

May these messages from long, long ago help to make this a Joyous Christmas!