December 2016. The once-great city of Aleppo, jewel of the Ottoman Empire and home to 2 million not all that long ago (think Houston, TX for size), is in its death throws as massive evacuations continue. In South America, Venezuela is in total upheaval after the most-used currency bill has suddenly been declared no longer valid, and people have no valid money to buy food. The UK is dealing with Brexit and the US is dealing with division and controversies from our own elections.
It’s easy to find news of disasters that boggle the mind. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by challenges in our own lives that seem just as huge.
And yet, Christmas is less than a week away, and many of us will celebrate the birth of Jesus.
How can we reconcile celebration when such things are happening?
To me, the answer is simply because these disasters illustrate how desperately the world needs a hero.
Doesn’t it? What person among us sees these things happening and doesn’t yearn for somebody to come rescue everybody and set everything right?
The thing is, the world has a Hero… but many do not know it yet.
How can Jesus be the hero? many will ask. Look at what’s happening. What hero would let such things happen?
The answer, for me, is to realize that we’re still in the dark part of the story.
When most do not recognize the Hero for who He is.
When the final victory is yet to come.
When most cannot fathom how victory could ever come.
When many do not even know a Hero exists… or believe one could exist. How could there be a hero when this is happening?
This is how stories play out, isn’t it? Nothing’s ever easy. The hero isn’t a hero because everything’s great. He’s a hero because of the very darkness that engulfs the world of the story.
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.
Because we have inside of us a love for what makes our Savior so amazing.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.For by Him all things were created,both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible,whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—All things have been created through Him and for Him.He is before all things, andin Him all things hold together.
The entire universe was created by Him.
Superman’s power? Nothing compared to His.
Pick an X-men or an Avenger… or put them all together. Absolutely nothing.
His power is so staggering that every superhero story ever created is but a human’s poor attempt (if they only knew it) to come up with something that reflects a tiny bit of Him.
Take Magnito as an example. The moviemakers created this scene where he used his power to hold a thousand missiles in place in the air, then turn them where he wanted them to go. If you haven’t seen the movie, just trust me. It was really impressive. (Or watch the scene on YouTube if you want.)
Now watch this, and realize how much Jesus’ power is holding in place.
We can understand Magnito’s power because it is limited. Even though it isn’t real.
Jesus’ power is real, but we have a hard time understanding it because it is limitless.
And just like the heroes of our stories, He temporarily laid that power aside and surrendered everything He was… to save the world.
The important thing to remember as we watch this messed up world, is this:
This is where the hope lies. This is why we can still celebrate the fact that He came, even as cities and nations and alliances and economies fall apart. His coming – His birth, death, and resurrection – were the middle of this story we’re living in. And it’s always darkest towards the end of the story, isn’t it?
All this darkness? All this destruction and pain and suffering? All this emptiness and hopelessness?
This is why the world needs a Savior…
One whose story isn’t over yet.
Five years ago, when I was finally able to comprehend who He actually is, I fell so in love…
With Jesus…
Like I never had been before. He totally awes me.
I asked God to give me a Christmas song that expressed this, and I’d like to share it again. A simple recording is here if you want to hear how it goes, but it’s the power in the words – straight out of Scripture – that I want you to hear.
He is the hero of your story, too. If you let Him be your hero.
All He Was
© 2011 Kathleen Peters (since US copyright law doesn’t recognize God’s right to it)
Once outside of time began a story (John 1:1)
It’s been told a thousand times and ways, or more
A virgin birthed and angels sang (Is. 7:14; Luke 1:34; 2:13-14)
The wise men saw and shepherds came (Matt. 2; Luke 2:15-16)
But the hero who lay within her arms
Had already made a sacrifice of love:
He was the Maker of the universe (Col. 1:16, John 1:3)
The Master of the stars (Ps. 136:7-9)
The voice of endless power (Gen. 1:3)
And everlasting love (Jer. 31:3)
Before foundations of the world were laid (Rev. 13:8)
Beyond the veil of time (Ps. 90:2)
He knew the world would need a Savior’s touch (Is. 9:2)
So He surrendered all He was. (Phil 2:7-8)
He said that He revealed the face of God (John 14:9)
That’s why the crowds responded to His power and love (Matt. 4:25)
The sick were healed and blind could see (Matt. 4:23; Matt. 15:31)
The lame made whole, possessed set free (Matt. 21:14; Mark 1:32)
Yet they took Him and nailed Him to a cross (Matt. 27:22-31)
But He prevailed over death and conquered all! (2 Tim. 1:10)
‘Cause He’s the Maker of the universe (Col. 1:16, John 1:3)
The Master of the stars (Ps. 136:7-9)
The voice of endless power (Gen. 1:3)
And everlasting love (Jer. 31:3)
Since the foundations of the world were laid
Beyond the bounds of time
He rules as everlasting Lord of all (Phil. 2:9-10)
Yet He surrendered all He was… (Luke 4:17-21)
To bring good news to the afflicted (Is. 61:1)
And peace for the broken (Is. 61:1)
There’s freedom for captives (Is. 61:1)
The favor of God (Is. 61:2)
There’s joy now for mourning (Is. 61:3)
And strength for the weary (Is. 61:3, 40:31)
He’s made us the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21)
He’s still the Maker of the universe (Col. 1:16, John 1:3)
The Master of the stars (Ps. 136:7-9)
The voice of endless power (Gen. 1:3)
And everlasting love (Jer. 31:3)
When the foundations of the world were laid (Rev. 13:8)
The Father looked through time (Is. 9:2-7)
He saw that you would need a Savior’s love… (Rom. 7:24-25; Gal. 2:20)
So Jesus came to be the Perfect One (2 Cor. 5:21)
What He did for you will always be enough… (Rom. 8:1-4)
Because He gave you all He was. (1 Cor. 1:30)