Do you believe?
This time of year many people are asking and answering that question.
The Polar Express made this question very popular for an entire generation. But that movie was not the first. I watched The Miracle on 34th Street with my youngest this past week and the underlying theme was, “Do you believe?”
Do you believe in Christmas? …Christmas magic? …Christmas miracles? …Christmas wishes? …Santa Claus? …Jesus?
A Big Faith
The story of Jesus, far from a fictional movie, pushes us all to ask, “Do I believe?” In fact, the story of Jesus began hundreds of years before when it was just a prophecy. Jesus’ birth was foretold in order to provide hope, encouragement, and perseverance.
When everything looked bleak, when life as God’s faithful knew it seemed all but lost, God sent a word of hope through Isaiah.
14 Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
He further went on to describe a great light coming out of the Galilee of the Gentiles (Isaiah 9:1-7):
6 For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
In the darkest of times, God sent a sign to His faithful ones. He essentially asked them to believe.
Believe
God gave a sign in order to produce hope, strengthen faith, and provide encouragement. And it worked.
Hundreds and hundreds of years later, when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple, they met Simeon. Luke describes him and what he said,
25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. …He said, 30 For my eyes have seen Your salvation 31 which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, 32 a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.” (Luke 2:25-35)
When he was finished, the prophetess Anna rejoiced and spoke of Jesus to all those who waited because they believed (Luke 2:36-38).
God told us all these things and so much more in the Bible so we would believe.
Whatever you face today, this week, or this Christmas season, believe – not in Christmas but place your trust and faith in Jesus Christ. As the birth of Christ demonstrates, He is trustworthy. Just believe.
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together