December 17

Nahum 1:1-3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9

Nahum 1:8,9: The Lord is good—He cares for those who trust in Him.

Christmas is just one week away, and I want a nice Christmassy reading today from the OYB, like the Hallmark movies that are on TV every night. I enjoy those Hallmark movies though they are a bit silly. They have no depth and not much character development, but they are always wholesome and fun, with beautiful scenery and gorgeous Christmas decorations. And everything always comes out right in the end. Sigh. They are definitely Christmas ‘candy’! All right, admit it! You like them, too!

But our reading today is not Christmas candy and Hallmark movies. It’s all about judgment. Yes, with Christmas one week away we are reading about impending doom, both in Nahum and in Revelation. The prophet Nahum warns the people of Nineveh that though “the LORD is slow to anger and great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished” (Nah. 1:3). And though “the LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust him…” (vs. 7) yet “with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into darkness” (vs. 8).

In Revelation 8:13 we read, “Woe! Woe! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth.”

Why did Jesus come to Bethlehem? Was it all for Christmas lights and presents under the tree and happy endings? Though there is so much joy in following Jesus, the fact is that he came as a righteous judge and he will judge the earth and all mankind on the appointed day. He came as a sweet baby, but he was endued with god-ness for he was indeed God in human flesh. Truly a reason to celebrate Christmas! There is no greater holiday for Christians except for Easter. We should enjoy and give presents and sing the wonderful old Christmas carols with zest.

But let us never forget why He came: He came to die so He could offer redemption from the coming judgment to each one who believes in Him.

As our almost-three-years-old Elizabeth Matthias says when quoting her Bible verse, God “gave His one and only Son.” Isn’t that Christmas?

Yes, these minor prophets who are speaking to us as Christmas approaches do speak of the coming Lord Jesus. They offer us a warning not to sit mindlessly while judgment comes.

- Nell Sunukjian

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