Noel: Christmas Is For EveryoneSample
He Is Everything for Everyone
By Danny Saavedra
“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”—Isaiah 9:6 (NKJV)
There’s no denying that a smartphone is a helpful tool for everyone. I don’t believe there’s a single person alive that wouldn’t benefit in some significant way from having a smartphone. Similarly, fire is beneficial for all of mankind—heat, cooking, fuel; you name it, fire provides it.
There are various products and resources in this world that were created for everyone, to make everyone’s life infinitely better. In the same way, the story of Christmas is for everyone! Regardless of who you are, what you’ve done, what language you speak, what country and culture you’re from, the Christmas story has the power to transform anyone and everyone, to make lives infinitely more amazing, meaningful, satisfying, and joy-filled. Why? Because it’s the story of how Jesus, the Son of God who is everything and through whom everything holds together and exists (John 1:3; Colossians 1:17), came to save everyone (John 3:16, 36, 6:40, 11:25).
Over 700 years before He was born, the prophet Isaiah foretold of His coming—the coming of the Messiah, the promised Seed who would crush the head of the serpent and through whom all nations of the world would be blessed—to the people of Israel. Isaiah was given a beautiful flash, a vision of prophetic insight where he was shown that man’s hope and future does not rest in himself, but in the Son who would be given—offered by the Father as a ransom for many (Isaiah 53). This Child is everything we need, everything we desire, and everything we could ever hope for.
How so? Isaiah breaks it down:
Wonderful Counselor
All wisdom comes from Him! Proverbs 2:6–7 (NLT) says, “For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest.” He’s our source for all wisdom and understanding. He leads us into right paths and teaches us how to live a life of meaning and fulfillment. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He understands us! Having lived fully human, He knows what it’s like to walk in our shoes. Hebrews 4:15 (NIV) reminds us, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.”
Mighty God
“All power is his for ever and ever” (1 Peter 5:11 PHILLIPS). Strength, power, courage, perseverance . . . it all comes from Him. And the Word constantly reminds us that His power is available to all who look to Him! Psalm 46:1 (NIV) declares, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble,” while Philippians 4:13 (CEV) reminds us, “Christ gives me the strength to face anything.” In 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV), He assures us, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."
Everlasting Father
Our Savior is one with the Father. He’s the way to the Father. In John 14:9 (NIV), He declared, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” Hebrews 1:3 (NIV) so eloquently describes Him this way: “The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” He goes before you, friends, and He’ll always be with you. He’s the Father of all believers (John 8:58), the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.
Prince of Peace
Jesus came so we could be made right with God. He came to reconcile us to the Father by bridging the gap and paying the price for our sins. And before returning to heaven He said, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you” (John 14:27 NIV). His peace, which surpasses understanding, has the power to guard us, to give us hope, assurance, and rest. He invites us to come to Him for rest, to “cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).
Friends, there’s not a single thing you need or want that Christ Jesus doesn’t offer. There’s not a single good and beautiful thing in all eternity that a relationship with Jesus doesn’t provide for everyone. His power, wisdom, peace, love, grace, compassion, kindness, mercy, and strength is for all of us. They’re available to all who would receive Him. Every promise, every blessing, every good and perfect gift . . . it’s all for you!
About this Plan
Over the next 12 days, we’re going to take a journey through the Christmas story and discover not only why it’s the greatest story ever told, but also how Christmas is truly for everyone!
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