It’s Hallmark Christmas movie time where everything is perfect or at least turns out that way in about two hours. We can feel overwhelmed by the expectations of perfection, whether it be in small things like home decor and hospitality or big things like relationships, finances, and circumstances in general. Mental health experts say many feel depressed this time of year and no wonder with that kind of pressure! If life has to be perfect for us to have joy, then we are in for a mournful life.
Enter Christianity. Shouldn’t we be different? What are our expectations this Christmas?
Remember in Jesus Christ, we are never disappointed. If we have correct expectations, we are never disappointed.
Experience grief? Yes. Loss? Yes. Painful wounds? Yes. Difficulties. They are promised.
But what does this verse mean that in Christ, we are never disappointed. Also, let’s take a look at Mary and Joseph as examples of how to respond to life-altering circumstances.
In Romans 10 it says “Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed.” Clearly a reference to Christ’s saving work on our behalf, imputing his righteousness to our account permanently. This verse is a quote from Isaiah 28:16 and 49:23 where God is speaking to the nation of Israel encouraging them to wait on the Lord. Wait in hope. God will provide. God will fulfill his promises. This is still true today. It is true in justification, God has given us the righteousness of Christ. It is true in sanctification, God will conform us to the image of Christ. It is true in glorification, we will be with Christ forever and ever enjoying his eternal kingdom. Until then, we wait.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18 are verses to memorize and write on your heart. They are our theology of suffering. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
The greater the suffering now, the greater the glory to come. So, we endure with HOPE.
What are you enduring these days? What things are not “perfect” in your life? Small things? Big things? Both, I’m sure.
Don’t compare your sufferings with others. They are yours and belong to you. They are from your Father and meant to accomplish the work of sanctification in your life. Hammer blows. Raspings of the file. Same God. The greater the suffering now, the greater the glory to come.
Let’s look really quickly at Joseph and Mary. Mary received the news that she would bear God’s Son, the long awaited Messiah. This was shocking news. She responds with such quick acceptance, we are immediately impressed with this young woman. Probably around 14 years old (think high school freshman) her response to this life-altering news was “Behold, the bondslave of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” Then we see Mary’s prayer, again think-freshman in high school-overflowing with Old Testament allusions (probably about 15 references)! In her biblically saturated prayer, her heart overflows with references to God’s Word. She clearly loved the Word. She understood the law, the prophets, and the covenants of God. So when life drastically changed one day, she was ready with a theology that kept her standing strong.
Then, there’s Joseph. He, too, receives life-altering news. The woman he is going to marry is pregnant. He is going to raise the child. The child is God. We see Joseph obey at every turn. No matter how upsetting or dangerous the situation; remember he was woken up in the middle of the night to the knowledge murderers were after his son. He listens to God’s commands and does exactly what God says. He leads his family calmly and courageously in difficult times.
As Christians, our Christmas celebrations aren’t about outward circumstances and appearances. Our celebration is about the coming of Christ to save us from our sin. This was our central and biggest problem. It has been solved. The unrighteous have been made righteous. We then can always have hope, no matter what happens to us. THIS is the only reason we are not ultimately disappointed. And then on top of that, we have the promise that all suffering now is a test of our response and trust in our sovereign God and will be rewarded in the age to come. The greater the suffering now, the greater the glory to come.
We can be like Mary and Joseph. We can live with quick and total obedience no matter what is happening to us or around us as we stay saturated in God’s word and filled with the hope of Heaven. We don’t need suffering free lives to be filled with JOY.
Merry Christmas!
Also, during the busy-ness of this season, purpose to priortize spiritual things in your own personal life as well as for your family. Take time for daily time in the Word and prayer. Nourish your soul. You are spiritually hungry–whether you feel like you are or not.
I am recommending that all of us treasure Christ together this Christmas by reading Joy to the World: Daily Readings for Advent by Charles Spurgeon. There will be copies at the back of the church ($5 suggested donation) or you can order it on Amazon. Joy to the World by Charles Spurgeon.