The older I get, the easier it is to “lose” Christmas in the
midst of everything else December brings: final exams, the wrap-up of another
semester, and the beginning of a month-long break from school, just to name a
few. By the time I get home for break, all I really want to do is sleep for a
few days and hang out with my cat.
This Christmas season, however, will be different.
This past fall semester, a friend I disciple and I went
through a study on the book of Hebrews. Each week, we would read through
Hebrews and watch the video from the pastor’s series and learn so much about who Christ is. You see,
I’ve always seen the Old Testament and New Testament as separate parts of the
Bible that don’t have too much to do with each other (except for some of the
prophecies about Jesus, etc.). But, through our time in Hebrews, we were able
to get a glimpse of the importance of both halves of the Bible and how they
work together beautifully.
The entire Bible is about JESUS. From Genesis to Revelation, the pages whisper His glory and
story and tell of a coming Redeemer. Many of the Old Testament characters can
be viewed as mirrors that Jesus is reflected in, or perhaps, perfected in. For example, Jesus is the
better Aaron; as one of the high priests of Israel, Aaron had to constantly
offer sacrifices for the peoples’ forgiveness. Jesus, on the other hand,
offered His Body once for all as a sacrifice that now offers forgiveness to
anyone. Jesus can be seen as the better Adam, bringing salvation instead of
death, or the better Moses, leading His people to true salvation and out of the
“Egypt” of their sin.
So, what does all that have to do with Christmas?
This December, I can experience the truest peace and joy
because my Jesus, the One written about in so much of the Bible, has already come to the world. He has fulfilled the promise of salvation and forgiveness,
and He has left His Comforter in the world with us (John 14:16; 16:7). In the
busyness that is the Christmas season, I can know peace – the peace that was promised in Isaiah and Jeremiah and mirrored in Esther – because Jesus Himself embodies peace and has freely given it to me (John 14:27; Galatians 5:22-23). I can know joy – joy like we see in Psalms and the person of Hannah – because I already know Jesus.
The entire Bible works together to paint us a picture of a
Savior. It breathes hope and rest, and in this wintry season…that’s exactly
what I need.
“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.”
Isaiah 9:6 [NIV]
Bio: Hi, friends! My name is Laura Kate (LK for short & in the white dress on the left), and
I’m halfway done with my senior year at Christopher Newport University. When
I’m not studying English (aka writing papers about those books you always put
off for summer reading) and preparing to teach elementary school, I find time
to make guacamole, share my love of One Direction, and jog around my local
neighborhood. You can find me on campus having coffee dates with Cru small
group leaders, promoting Radiate, and other Cru co-president things! Thanks for
reading!
