Salvation is Coming: Two Essential Practices for Christmas and Beyond
As we approach Christmas, our to-do lists seem endless. Between decorating, party planning, gift shopping, and family preparations, it's easy to lose sight of what truly matters during this sacred season. While we're busy checking off our holiday tasks, there are two essential practices we must not forget to add to our Christmas list - and indeed, to our year-round spiritual life.
What Does the Birth of John the Baptist Teach Us?
The story of John the Baptist's birth in Luke 1:57-80 provides a powerful template for Christian living. When Elizabeth gave birth to John, the entire community was buzzing with excitement. This elderly couple had miraculously welcomed a son, and everyone wanted to know what they would name him.
The cultural expectation was clear - name the child after his father, Zacharias, a respected high priest. But God had different plans. Nine months earlier, the angel Gabriel had specifically told Zacharias that his son would be named John, meaning "God is gracious."
Why Is Faithful Obedience So Important?
Obedience Goes Against Cultural Expectations
When Elizabeth declared the baby would be named John, and Zacharias confirmed it in writing, they chose to obey God rather than follow cultural customs. This teaches us a crucial principle: when culture tells us to do one thing but God tells us another, we must choose to obey God every single time.
Faithful obedience is always countercultural. It doesn't matter what society considers normal, expected, or customary. If God says one thing and culture says another, following God is the only right choice.
Obedience Leads to Praise
The moment Zacharias wrote "His name is John," something miraculous happened. After nine months of being mute as punishment for doubting God's promise, his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed. The first thing that came out of his mouth was praise to God.
Disobedience always prevents us from truly praising God. When we delay or refuse to obey, we may not be physically mute, but we might as well be. Disobedience leads to guilt, isolation, rebellion, and ultimately destruction. But when we obey God, our hearts are free to worship and praise Him genuinely.
Obedience Makes People Talk
The miraculous events surrounding John's birth and naming created a buzz throughout the hill country of Judea. People couldn't stop talking about what God had done. They wondered, "What kind of child will this be?"
When you obey God in your daily life - whether it's praying before meals in public, treating people better than they deserve, or simply living differently than the world around you - people notice. Your faithful obedience becomes a testimony that prepares hearts to receive the Gospel message.
How Should We Proclaim God's Message?
Zacharias provides us with an excellent template for sharing the Gospel, especially during Christmas. His prophecy in verses 68-79 contains four essential components of the Gospel message:
The God of Salvation
Zacharias begins by acknowledging that salvation comes from the Lord God of Israel alone. He references Old Testament promises about the Messiah coming from David's lineage. The God of the Bible is the one and only true God who can provide salvation.
The Reason for Salvation
We need salvation not primarily from political or physical enemies, but from spiritual enemies. The true enemy isn't other people or circumstances - it's the sin that rules our hearts. We're saved from sin, but we're also saved for service. God didn't just give us fire insurance; He freed us from one master (sin) to serve a new master (Christ).
The Herald of Salvation
John the Baptist would serve as the forerunner, preparing the way for Jesus. His mission was to point people to the Lamb of God. In the same way, every Christian today has the mission of pointing people to Jesus. We're all greater than John the Baptist in the sense that we bring an even more immediate message - salvation is available right now.
The Person of Salvation
Jesus came the first time not as a political conqueror, but through "the tender mercy of our God." His first coming was humble, gentle, and peaceful. He came to bring light to darkness, peace to conflict, and healing to brokenness. Christmas celebrates God's tender mercy displayed through the birth of Jesus.
What Does This Mean for Our Christmas Season?
In the busyness of Christmas preparations, we must remember that the season is ultimately about Jesus. It's right there in the name - Christmas, celebrating Christ's birth. While family gatherings, gifts, and festivities are wonderful, they're not the reason we celebrate.
When was the last time you really thought about what Christmas means for you personally? When was the last time you shared the message of Christmas with someone who needs to hear it?
Life Application
This Christmas season, challenge yourself to add two essential items to your to-do list: practice faithful obedience and tell people about Jesus.
Choose to obey God even when it goes against cultural expectations. Whether it's how you spend your time, how you treat others, or how you prioritize your life, let your obedience be a testimony that makes people wonder what's different about you.
Also, look for opportunities to share the real meaning of Christmas with others. You don't need to be a preacher - just be someone who can say, "I'm just a nobody trying to tell everybody all about somebody who can save anybody."
Questions for Reflection:
In what areas of your life is God calling you to obey Him, even if it goes against cultural expectations?
Who in your life needs to hear the true message of Christmas this season?
How can your faithful obedience become a testimony that points others to Jesus?
Are you living in such a way that people notice something different about you?