While reading through the book of Isaiah recently, Phil Gerth (Camp Lebanon’s Maintenance Director) recalled this line from a Christmas musical he was part of a few years ago:
“The Christmas story is a joyful one; but what would have happened if Christ had not come?”
This stirring question “What if Christ had not come?” invites some interesting conversation and serious thinking as we contemplate the significance of the birth of Jesus Christ. Perhaps you can add your own thoughts to the two lists started on the bottom of this page: (1) What if Jesus had not come? (2) Because Jesus came!
Our much-loved Christmas carols ring out news of profound truth and great joy! Let’s pause and ponder the powerful message they proclaim. Reflect upon the promise and hope they bring. And then … sing LOUD, rejoicing in the GOOD NEWS that, indeed, the Lord Jesus Christ has come!
What if Christ had not come? If Jesus had not come, there would be …
No Away in a Manger … If no Jesus, then no beautiful telling of the babe wrapped up in swaddling clothes, born in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. No star in the east shimmering in the night. No wise men traveling from afar. No angels singing. No shepherds trading sheep duty to kneel in worship beside the manger that cradled the newborn king.
No Hark, No Herald, and No Angels Singing … If no Jesus, the distress, darkness and gloom described in Isaiah 8 would never have been dispelled by the glorious light radiating in Isaiah 9: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”
No Good News to Go Tell on the Mountain … If no Jesus, the angel’s midnight declaration would not have been proclaimed: “I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.” Luke 2:10,11
No Joy to the World … If no Jesus, the Bible’s most famous promise would be missing, as would be all of the New Testament! “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:16-18
No God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, no Tidings of Comfort and Joy … If no Jesus, the world would still be waiting for the promise of a Redeemer: “But because of His great love for us, God who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved.” Ephesians 2:5
No Come, Oh Come Emmanuel (God with Us) … If no Jesus, no Savior! “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
No Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne … If no Jesus, no mercy before the throne of God. “Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are – yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” Hebrews 4:14-16
No Peace on Earth, No Good Will to Men … If no Jesus, no Hallelujah Chorus: “For unto 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, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.” Isaiah 9:6,7
No Come, Thou Long Expected Jesus … If no Jesus, no hope. The seed of hope was born in Jesus’ first coming to earth as the God-Man who would save us from our sins. Our ultimate hope and comfort is found in the long-awaited expectation of His second coming: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3
No Sweet Little Jesus Boy … No Jesus, no salvation. JESUS! “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
No Silent Night, No Holy Night … No Jesus, no song. Tragically, all the world would be silent with no joyous song to sing.
So, what if Christ had not come?
No Christ … No Christmas, No Light, No Good News, No Cross, No Forgiveness, No Salvation, No Mercy, No Grace, No Mediator, No Comfort, No Emmanuel, No Peace on Earth, No Justice, No Righteousness, No Rescue, No Resurrection, No Return, No Promise, No Eternal Life, No heaven, No Hope.
Ah, because Christ did, indeed, come (and is coming again!) … No darkness, no distress, no gloom, no terror, no tyranny nor tyrants, no hatred, no deception, no sin, no fear, no sorrow, no death, no sickness, no pain, no tears, no parting, no end!
No Jesus. No Peace. KNOW Jesus. KNOW Peace!
To all of you, No-el! ( “Merry Christmas” in French!)
– Lisa
0 thoughts on ““No Hark? No Herald?… or Noel!””
That was a very inspiring blog. Also thought provoking. We can now follow Jesus. Our wondrous Savior. I love your blogs. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New year! I love you.