With Christmas craziness behind us, here’s why and how we should rest
By Dean Collins
It always surprises me how fast the Christmas madness ends.
This year may have been a little different due to the pandemic, but I’m guessing you still had some sort of Christmas stress going on at your house. Some weren’t able to gather with family, but I suspect there was plenty of stressing about what we normally would have done together but couldn’t do this year. And others of us rushed to order online early and arranged to ship gifts to loved ones we couldn’t see. So whether normal or abnormal, Christmas season is a mad rush, and then in an instant it’s over.
It’s a little odd how a Savior born in Bethlehem over two thousand years ago can create so much unnecessary stress for people, even believers, centuries later. But I doubt that the Wonderful Counselor and Prince of Peace we just celebrated is the cause of our busyness and stress. He didn’t come to create unrest in us but rather to offer us the opportunity to realize spiritual and ultimate rest.
Promised rest
The writer of Hebrews told the early believers important information we still need to remember: ”The promise of entering his rest still stands.”
Maybe in the post-Christmas fatigue we need to consider embracing the rest God has offered us. The truth is that many of us were worn out long before Christmas morning, and you can run only so long on an empty tank. Chapter 4 of Hebrews is first talking about rest that comes on the basis of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and the subsequent forgiveness we receive by acknowledging what Christ has accomplished for us. Hebrews is filled with examples of how what Jesus brings is far greater than the law could provide. Access to the very throne of God is now possible and not by way of a prophet, a pastor, or our efforts. Hebrews 3 tells us clearly that Jesus is both the apostle and high priest who has broken down the barriers that separate us from God. He has paid the price for our sin so we can come boldly to his throne anytime and every time, especially to receive both forgiveness and rest.
Our Savior promised this rest while he walked on earth. “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden,” he said, “and I will give you rest.”
Fearless rest
One of our oldest Christmas carols might remind us to rest in the assurance of what God has done and will do. Listen to “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and take in its wonderful message. And, yes,I realize the old English use of the word rest in this carol is not equivalent to our current use of the word. Yet the message of keeping merry or joyful based on the work of Christ is only possible when we let go of our struggle and fall into the grace of God.
We do no longer need to let anything dismay or create fear in us, because this gift of God we just celebrated at Christmas has taken our burden of sin and released us from the burden of responsibility we often cling to.
Listen one more time to a Christmas carol before you let go of Christmas this year and do not let fear of anything control you. (Click here for a second contemporary version of the carol.) The work of Christ does bring tidings of comfort and joy. He is the reason we can rest and let God take care of our burdens, not only those from 2020, but all of them from now on.
Your time with God’s Word
Hebrews 4:1-13; 3:1-6; Matthew 11:28-30 ESV
