Disappointed After Christmas
Christmas Day has come and gone. With all the excitement and dreams, it was inevitable that some people would be disappointed by Christmas. Some children opened their presents to find underwear. Many parents were heartbroken this year. Their children and grandchildren could not come home. Sometimes, the plays and cantatas don’t fulfill your expectations. Family gatherings may have made you wonder how you can possibly be kin to those people. Yes, Christmas has come and gone and left some people disappointed.
However, dissatisfaction started with the very first Christmas. From the very beginning, God has promised a Savior and a Messiah. People sought a priest like Melchizedek. They wanted a prophet like Moses, a general like Joshua, and a king like David. They expected the King of kings to be born in a palace and heralded by royalty. The royal nursery should have been glamorous, and the royal bedding should have been fine linen.
But no, this first Christmas was a disappointment to many. The King of Kings was born in the insignificant town of Bethlehem. His nursery was a stable; His bedding was old rags and hay. The Child would be raised in Nazareth. Everybody knew that nothing good ever came from Nazareth. Certainly, not the Messiah.
The first Christmas, nonetheless, was exactly as it was supposed to be. If people were disappointed, it was because they did not know The Father or His plan. The Savior came as a Suffering Servant the first time to seek and save the lost. The next time He comes, it will be as a Conquering King to destroy the destroyer. The first time He came, He was wrapped in rags. The next time He comes, He will be robed in Glory. The first time He came, He saved the sinners, the next time He comes, He will claim His bride.
Disappointed in Christmas But not in Our Savior
Christmas is a difficult time of year for many people. If that includes you, then my heart goes out to you. But be encouraged. You may be disappointed at Christmas time, but you will never be disappointed with Christ. As our Savior, He gives us hope. As our Messiah, He gives us peace. As our Lord, He gives us comfort. As our King, He gives us victory. And please don’t forget that Jesus brings joy to the world and joy to you and me.
“But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.”
Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/gal.4.4-5.NKJV
“But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of Lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”
I Timothy 6:11-16 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/1ti.6.11-16.NKJV
Douglas & Deborah Huff
From Down Where the Pavement Ends
email-pavementendsministry@gmail.com
My daughter Kate has written her first book. Follow her progress and help her get it published. Visit her website and sign up for her newsletter at http://www.kateoliviahuff.com.
