Notes From the Pastor's Desk
December 7, 2025
Five Key Words Concerning Christmas
Christmas is always a blessed and wonderful time for people who know what it is all about. To some it is parties, to some it is presents, to some it is snowmen and reindeer. But, to us who know the Lord, several key words come to our minds. Here are five key words that are very common.
I. The Word Christ
Luke 2:11 says, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.” Someone has well said, “He is the reason for the season.” That verse reveals three different things about our Lord. He is the Saving One. He is clearly called “a Saviour” in v. 1. Thank God He saves sinners. He is also the Promised One. Christ is the name for our Lord that stresses the fact He is the Messiah, the one promised by the prophets of old. He is also the Domineering One. That emphasis is found in the word “Lord.” The word for Lord “kurios” means a controller or one who has supreme authority. It speaks of one who is authoratative, governs or dominates.
II. The Word Hope
Luke 2:32 says of Jesus that He is, “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” Darkness implies hopelessness. The coming of Christ into this world gives hope to all of those who put their faith and trust in Him. It is light which penetrates into the darkness and dispels it. What does the light of Jesus accomplish? It gives light to the Gentiles (you and me) who were in the darkness of sin. Light immediately removes darkness. It brings glory. Christ's first coming shined special light upon the Jews. Salvation was first offered to them, Christ was born among them, and His first ministry was among them. So, He was their glory and their light. Jesus gave hope where there was none.
III. The Word Peace
We think of the statement “On earth peace, good will toward men” (Luke 2:14). Peace follows grace. The Bible order is always grace and peace (Rom. 1:7; 2 Cor 1:2). When God's grace is manifested and received, there is peace that occurs with God (Rom. 5:1). Also, as we obey God's word, we have the peace of God (Phil. 4:7). Peace comes through knowledge — a knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.
IV. The Word Joy
The Bible speaks of “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Luke 2:10). Joy comes to us because Jesus came to us. Joy comes to us through His Spirit, through His Word and through our faith in him.
V. The Word Fulfillment
Christ is the fulfillment of several Old Testament prophecies. One of the main ones is what was predicted in Micah 5:2. He is the anti-type of the types of the O.T.