Christmas: The Darkness Turns to Light

Hi Swamp Bloggers,

Merry Christmas! I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Eve and relaxing with your family during this time.

During the Christmas season, it can be easy to lose sight of the meaning of Christmas. Despite our best intentions, Christmas can become more about cooking, cleaning, and gift wrapping, rather than Jesus. With this post, I hope to encourage you about the beautiful message of Christ as you go through your holiday festivities this year.

"Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel."

Isaiah 7:14 prophesies about Jesus coming through a virgin. It refers to Jesus by the name Immanuel, which literally means "God with us." Think about that for a second...

In the past, men and women had to perform rituals and sacrifices to be close to God, and that did not even bring them forgiveness. Yet, when Jesus came, mankind experienced God being with them in the flesh. Wow!

Another amazing thing Jesus brought in addition to God's presence was forgiveness for sins. Finally, people would have a way to be justified besides through perfection. For, Christ would live a perfect life and justify the sins of many.

In Matthew 1:21, scripture speaks about the forgiveness the savior would bring:

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

Another amazing thing about the coming of Jesus is the glory and majesty of his coming.

In Isaiah 9:6-7, it speaks of this:

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end."

I just like reading the names of Jesus: Wonderful Counselor. Mighty God. Everlasting Father. Prince of Peace. He is the King whose kingdom, majesty, and might have no end. He is the one who brings peace and light to the lives of men and women of all nations.

The title of this passage in Isaiah is titled "The Darkness Turns to Light," and I think that is a perfect description of what Christmas is about. Through Jesus's birth, we have light, hope, peace, forgiveness of sins, and God's presence with us.

I pray this Christmas, you are able to feel and see God's peace and hope in your life. Sending much love to all you amazing readers in the Camp Swamp family...

Much Love & Respect,

Julie

P.S. It's not too late to sign up for H@TS! It's going to be a great time over New Years, so come join the Swamp to party!