Today, we continue in our theme of Immanuel—God with us in hope. Have you ever considered that no other person in history has ever had their birthday and their death become national holidays and recognitions? The world celebrates Christmas because of the birth of Christ. Have you ever thought about the way history is divided: BC, before Christ, and AD, Anno Domini or after Christ’s death? And what about when people curse? They don’t say the names of Greek mythology or those who have founded religions like Buddha or Hare Krishna. No, they use God and Jesus as the emphasis on the curse because of the power denoted in those names.

Those sorts of recognitions of Christ in the world and throughout history is because of who He was and who He is. In Matthew 12 when Jesus healed the sick and told them to not yet reveal who He was, the writer of the Gospel called back to the prophecy in Isaiah 42 which says:

“Look at my Servant, whom I have chosen. He is my Beloved, who pleases me. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not fight or shout or raise his voice in public. He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle. Finally he will cause justice to be victorious. And his name will be the hope of all the world.” (Matthew 12:18-21 NLT)

Don’t miss the irony in the prophet’s words and Matthew’s reference as Jesus was healing people: The world and its systems don’t believe justice can be victorious without fighting, with no shouting, no raising of the voice, and something must be crushed or someone’s candle put out. But Jesus was making the world right in God’s way. Now listen again to the final sentence: And his name will be the hope of all the world. … Jesus, the hope of the world. The hope of your world.

The Jewish people in that day believed the Messiah would come riding over the hill on a white horse with a sword in his hand and amass an army to overthrow the Roman government. So when He just walked into towns and began to heal and provide food and teach truth, that approach didn’t fulfill the cultural agenda. Today, Jesus still isn’t fulfilling the agenda of the world. Which then and now is why so many also miss the hope He provides.

This year, don’t let Christmas pass without recognizing the help, healing, and hope of Christ … for you, for your kids, and for the waiting world around us. … And his name will be the hope of all the world.

Let’s pray: “Lord Jesus, thank You that You didn’t come to conquer nations, but to win hearts … that You didn’t come to overthrow governments, but to overcome my life and my circumstances with Your hope. As above, so below.”