I usually do my best not to go anywhere near grocery stores the few days leading to Christmas. Why? Well, it’s because I know how insanely congested those places will be. You got shoppers rushing to get last-minute items for their menu, or to buy a gift for that last person on their list. However, the times that I’ve had to go to the store the day before Christmas, I was truly surprised at how “nice” and “peppy” people seemed to be! I was like, wow! If my cart bumped into someone else’s cart any other day of the year, I would definitely not be seeing smiles and jolly “hellos” and “no problem at all!”. There’s something about Christmas!
One of the classic Christmas songs that I like to listen to, puts it this way, “From now on all our troubles will be miles away…”. Maybe this is why Christmas seems such a sweet, sweet time of year! Because we need that anticipation, we need to find that kind of joy in order to escape our busy, hectic lives. And Christmas seems to offer just the right escape.
I’ve been thinking about all of that lately. So, I thought how about we take a look at Christmas from the past! What I mean is, what if I take you back in time years before Christ was born, to dig deeper into one of the prophecies about the birth of Jesus? Let’s discover the real wonder behind the words which God spoke by the prophet “Micah”, about 700 years before Christ was born. Read carefully what God said,
“But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity.”
Micah 5:2.
See, the people of God were waiting for a savior whom they thought will be a King (a ruler), who will save them from their enemies and would come from the line of King David. These prophecies were fulfilled and just as King David was born in a small town called “Bethlehem”, Jesus Christ later on was born in Bethlehem as well. The significance is that the name of the town “Bethlehem” meant “House of bread”.
As time passed, Jesus preached and taught the several thousands who follow Him, He spoke of Himself announcing, “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.
So, “The Bread of life” was born to us in “The House of bread”. It’s either that God has a sense of humor, or that He’s really trying to tell us something important. Perhaps God is speaking to a hungry, achy, weary, broken world; telling us, “As you seek joy, satisfaction, health, financial stability, and hope; come and put your trust in Me. Because in Me you will find your fill, your satisfaction and provision for every season and every situation.”
The beauty of this situation is that this “ruler” as Micah described Him, has been alive and at work “from long ago, from the days of eternity”! Here’s something our human mind can’t figure out!
My kids usually decide to ask me life’s most complicated questions … Guess when! At BEDTIME! Yes. They want to know the secrets of life, and the theology behind the most pressing matters in the Bible, when it’s time for them to go to sleep. One of their questions one time was, “So mom, when was God born?” And it boggled their mind when I started to explain to them the concept of eternity and that God has ALWAYS been here! We are mortal and we live in a world where things begin and end, while God will always be! Then I stared at them as their eyes gazed at the ceiling in silence! It’s so hard to understand! They have the right to be confused.
How awesome it is that Jesus Christ, though he was born as a human being; yet He’s always existed?! He’s always been around and not just that… He’s also been at work in the world. The Bible says that when the earth was created, Christ was there, because He is God. I know that sounds very complicated! But it should be complicated! Because if our human mind is able to comprehend all the greatness of God, then God would not be as Awesome as He claims to be.
Yet, the One who has been since eternity, allowed Himself to be our gift, our satisfaction, the answer to our problems, the savior for our sins, the lifter of our head! He humbled Himself for us!
What will you do with this savior this Christmas? What will you do with the Bread of Life; the Eternal and the Mighty One?
May I suggest something?
-How about you come find your fill in Him?
Which means, if you’re broken-hearted this season, come to Him. If you’re happy and thankful come thank Him. If you’re lost in life and you can’t find who you are in a confused world, come to Him and He’ll find you! If you’re stuck in an addiction, or a bad situation, approach Him and He’ll give you forgiveness for your sins and a new beginning. The Bread of Life has an answer to everything you may ever need. All you have to do is speak to Him, scream to Him, if you will, or whisper! He hears, He cares, and He will show up in your life and make all the difference.
Don’t let this Christmas go by while you’re hungry for a change, it would be a shame to celebrate the Bread of Life Who was and is and will ever be, and still go away wanting. Merry Christmas, my friend and may He who is the reason for life itself, fill all of your needs and fill you with unspeakable joy.
God is with you! Emmanuel has come!
michalmerhej 