Long, long ago, in a faraway land, a baby was born. This is how fairy tales begin, but the story of Jesus’s birth, life, ministry, death, and resurrection is not a fairy tale dreamed up in someone’s imagination; it is a true story, the greatest story ever told.
At the beginning of this year, my husband and I traveled to Israel, to walk the streets Jesus walked, to see the town where he and his parents lived, to visit the places of his birth, death, and resurrection.
Today, Israel and surrounding areas are in turmoil. Explosions rock the streets. Hostages are held captive. The unrest that is present today is not much different from the time of Jesus’s birth. Roman rule was harsh. People struggled to eek out a living. Taxes were exorbitant. Into such a world, Jesus came.
When you hear the name “Jesus, the Christ,” does it mean anything to you? Do you think prophet, savior, redeemer? Or do you think myth?
To redeem means to buy back, free from distresses or harm, free from captivity with a payment of ransom, to extricate from something detrimental, to release from blame or debt, to clear, to repair, restore, retrieve, to free from the consequences of sin.
The easiest way to understand the role of a redeemer is to think of yourself in a situation from which you cannot escape in your own strength. Then, someone arrives to free you from your situation, pay your debt without asking anything in return, and change the course of your life. Jesus Christ is that Redeemer. All you have to do is admit your sinfulness, your need for help, and ask Jesus to redeem you.
Some do not see themselves as sinners. They believe themselves to be “good” because of their charity and success. But scripture tells us “All” fall short of God’s glory.
Born into a world of darkness and strife, Jesus, the Redeemer, came to free us from the captivity of sin and death, and offer the hope of eternal life.
This Christmas, look beyond the stacks of presents, smorgasbord of food, family squabbles, grief, seemingly insurmountable struggles, busyness, and see a Redeemer. You don’t have to do life in your own strength anymore. Forward motion is possible in 2024, with the power of a Loving Heavenly Father and the great gift of his Redeemer son, Jesus.
Merry Christmas and God’s Richest Blessings for the New Year!
“God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves. His Son paid the price to free us, which means that our sins are forgiven” (Colossians 1:13 GW).
“But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand upon the earth at last. And I know that after this body has decayed, this body shall see God” (Job 19:25-26 TLB)!
©CandyArrington
Candy Arrington is a writer, blogger, speaker, and freelance editor. She often writes on tough topics with a focus on moving through, and beyond, difficult life circumstances. Candy has written hundreds of articles, stories, and devotionals published by numerous outlets including: Inspiration.org, Arisedaily.com, CBN.com, Healthgrades.com, Care.com, Focus on the Family, NextAvenue.org, CountryLiving.com, and Writer’s Digest. Candy’s books include Life on Pause: Learning to Wait Well (Bold Vision Books), When Your Aging Parent Needs Care (Harvest House), and AFTERSHOCK: Help, Hope, and Healing in the Wake of Suicide (B&H Publishing Group).
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