For many, this year’s Christmas may not be conducive for an all-out celebration. Yes, the shopping centers bravely put up festive decorations, hoping to inspire an acceptable level of buying activity. But the backdrop for many is worry.

As I write this, wars are taking place across the globe. There are widespread anxieties over terrorist attacks, including the possibility of large-scale bioterrorism. There is further gloom in the marketplace. We live in the midst of a prolonged recession, under which many harbor growing worries about their future. The conflict between the Israelis and the Palestinians rages on without any sign of lasting peace. Bethlehem, where Christ was born, remains one of the hotspots in the world, troubled by violence, unrest, and deep anxiety.

What does Christmas mean in this kind of world? To the entrepreneurs, it’s a time to make money. The nostalgic will recall all the popular notions of Christmas—snow, decorations, Santa Claus, presents, festive songs. To still others, it’s a convenient year-end holiday to shop, celebrate, and feel good.

But at the heart of Christmas is the birth of Christ our Lord. It is the time in the church year set aside to celebrate God’s “indescribable gift” (2 corinthians 9:15). In a time like this, perhaps there is a greater opportunity for the primary meaning of Christmas to stand out against the gloomy background, like a flame of hope in a dark night.

Christmas is surely not a time for escapism. On the contrary, the truth of Christmas plunges us into thick reality. That is the way Jesus was born into this world. He “made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (philippians 2:7). He was not born in a palace, with layers of luxury insulating Him from a disturbing reality. No, Jesus was born into the stark reality of poverty. By His own choice, He was born in an obscure stable in the humblest of circumstances. He came to a people living in a nation dominated by the foreign power of Rome. For centuries, God had led them. He loved them, struggled with them, and disciplined them. When He brought them back from captivity, they returned to their ancient homeland with the promises of God. Then, for 400 years, heaven seemed distant and silent. It was as if God had finally given up on them. The godly among them clung to the thin threads of their faith, despite the terrors of their world. Their holy temple was desecrated and thousands were massacred. How they looked forward to the promised Messiah!

God kept His promise. He sent His Son, Jesus. And this is why we celebrate Christmas.

We too may feel like His ancient people, waiting for better times, waiting for God to act. Christmas is a timely reminder that God does keep His promises.

The One we celebrate was given two names at His birth, Jesus and Immanuel (matthew 1:21, 23). Jesus means “God saves” while Immanuel means “God is with us.” The message of Christmas is that through Christ, God saves us from sin and death and comes to be with us. This message does not change no matter what our circumstances are. In fact, in our present world, this message shines all the more brightly. Who can deliver us from our dire circumstances? Who can change the bad news to good? It is Christ our Lord who brings salvation, reconciliation, healing, peace, and hope. Let us place our hope in Him in these troubled times.

Christ was born into the real world, with its anxieties and trouble, uncertainties and pain. The Christ of Christmas does not offer the momentary relief of escape into fantasy. Instead, the One who hung on the cross offers us His abiding presence, even in times of trouble. He is not only our Savior, He is also our Friend.

In our heart of hearts let us be quietly confident that nothing can separate us from the love of God. As Martin Luther remarked, “The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that He sunk Himself into our flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” Let us therefore celebrate this mystery of Christmas with awe, gratitude and hope. Let us make our lives . . .