Remember God's Promises this Christmas

Genesis 12:2-3 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.

"Too often Christmas becomes a time when we overcommit ourselves to a never-ending “to-do list.” We make promises to our families, friends, and co-workers—promises that often become burdens. From decorating, shopping, wrapping gifts, attending parties, making cookies, planning activities for the kids, and cooking, we run ourselves down physically, mentally, and emotionally. We wonder, will it ever end? We make so many promises during the holidays that we forget the promises God gave in Scripture and His fulfilled promise that we celebrate during this season.

In Genesis 12:2–3, God makes His first promise to Abraham, known as the Abrahamic Covenant: And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. 9

The word covenant simply means an agreement. God made an agreement with His people through Abraham. The Lord promises a “great nation” to Abraham and goes on to promise Abraham that he will be a “blessing.” Abraham’s descendants certainly became a great nation, as evidenced by the genealogy found in Matthew 1:1–17. Through the lineage of Abraham, God blessed this world with the birth of His Son, Jesus Christ, the Messiah. In Genesis 22:17–18, He reaffirms His promise: I will surely bless you, and I will surely multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of his enemies, and in your offspring shall all the nations of the earth be blessed, because you have obeyed my voice. 10

Throughout Scripture, God continues to make promises to His people. This week, read and rejoice in the promises God has made to those who love Him. What promises that God made through Scripture can you see fulfilled in your own life?"

Credit: Cissie Graham Lynch - Born To You This Day - NLT - HS