Jesus makes season wonderful

Many people designate the Christmas season as the greatest time of the year. Years ago, singer Andy Williams recorded a song about this season titled “ It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

The lines of the song describe Christmas activities: jingling bells, Christmas parties, toasting marshmallows, caroling in the snow, mistletoe and hearts full of Christmas cheer. All those activities mentioned in the song are exhilarating, pleasurable and joyous. With all of these activities and with families getting together, Christmas is for sure a wonderful time of the year.

Yet reflect on these questions: What really makes Christmas wonderful? Is it the activities at Christmas that sustain us when loss and grief has descended upon us in 2016? Does Christmas cheer sustain us when hard times come in 2017?

The answer is found in the Old Testament book of Isaiah. Centuries ago, the prophet Isaiah prophesied that someone wonderful would come to us: “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, and Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. ” (Isaiah 9:6-7)

Isaiah’s prophecy came true. (Luke 2:11-14)

So why did Isaiah describe the coming Messiah as one with a name called Wonderful? Was Isaiah looking forward centuries to the time that Christmas would be in full celebration? I think not.

Isaiah was proclaiming that the Messiah would be a wonderful gift to all people of the world, a gift of hope and a gift of love.

What really makes Jesus wonderful? Jesus is wonderful because he sees us and knows us. Think about it: the Creator of the universe sees and knows us each individually.

Romans 8:27 reads: “Now he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because he makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”

Jesus knows our needs and knows our hearts better than we know ourselves. He knows our worries and our concerns. He knows about our hopes and dreams and knows our future. He knows the joys we have and also knows the troubles we face. He knows us on a level that no other can know us.

Jesus is wonderful because he hears us. When we call out to God, he hears us and the scriptures verify this is true. “But certainly God has heard; he has given heed to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer nor his loving kindness from me.” (Psalms 66:19-20)

Sometimes there are problems in life that are so heavy and so burdensome there is no one that can help or even listen. People can sympathize but Jesus knows how we feel. He gives us hope in the midst of heartaches and hurts and he comforts our spirits in times of loss and frustrations.

We can rest in his care. He hears us when we take our burdens to him.

Jesus is wonderful because he loves us. God’s love for us is unfailing and not dependent upon earthly emotions.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

God loved us so much that he put his love into action. “But God put his love on the line for us by offering his Son in sacrificial death while we were of no use whatever to him (Romans 6:8, The Message).

Jesus is wonderful because he has offered the gift of eternal life to us. We have a future and a hope because a wonderful Savior loves us.

“This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.” (1 John 4:9)

Enjoy the gifts, family gatherings, the carols and the activities with friends this season. But remember: Jesus makes this season wonderful.

Judy Brandon writes about faith for The Eastern New Mexico News. Contact her at: [email protected]