Jonathan Munson, Executive Director
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful” Hebrews 10:23
Without a doubt, one of my favorite Christmas carols is “O Come All Ye Faithful.” I’ve heard it hundreds of times, but I recently found myself lingering over the three adjectives in the opening line: “faithful,” “joyful,” and “triumphant.” Three simple words, yet each one is packed with meaning, describing notable qualities of a Christ-follower.
Honestly, sometimes I feel the complete opposite, more like: “faithless,” “gloomy,” and “defeated.” (I tried singing the song with these words, but it didn’t quite capture the Christmas spirit.)
But maybe these three words aren’t meant to describe how we always feel. Perhaps they’re intended to describe the character Christ is forming in us and inviting us to grow into.
Let’s take a closer look at each word.
• Faithful–
What does it look like to be faithful to Christ in a world that is relentlessly competing for our allegiance? Hebrews 10:23 gives us the answer. It means we “hold unswervingly” to Jesus, refusing to let go. Through thick and thin, we cling to His promises and seek to live according to His Word. We are people who belong to Jesus, finding our identity in Him and trusting Him not only for salvation, but in every aspect of life.
Of course, none of us does this perfectly. Faithfulness isn’t about being flawless. If it required perfection, we’d all be doomed from the start. Only Jesus is perfectly faithful. Though our faith is tainted by inconsistency, we remain steadfastly devoted to Jesus until our final breath.
• Joyful–
Jesus is our source of joy, not our circumstances. When this truth settles into our hearts, we begin to radiate a genuine, resilient joy regardless of what we’re going through. After all, what kind of news did the angels announce to the shepherds that first Christmas? “Good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10). As heralds of this joyful news, how can joy not define our demeanor?
I’m not saying we fake a smile and pretend our problems don’t exist. Life can be brutal. But at the same time…Jesus promised His followers a “joy that no one can take away” (John 16:22). So, we mustn’t let despair overtake us.
Like Paul, we can be “sorrowful, yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10), because we know that suffering is temporary, God has not abandoned us, and one day we will enter a kingdom where “everlasting joy will crown our heads” (Isaiah 55:11).
• Triumphant-
The Christmas story begins in a manger, but that’s not where it ends. The manger led to an old, rugged cross. The cross led to an empty tomb. And because the tomb is empty, heaven’s throne is occupied. Jesus reigns! Jesus has already secured the victory. So, we are not boasting in our triumph; we’re boasting in His.
Therefore, we live with a victory mindset. We fight our battles from victory, not for victory. If we are in Christ, we are on the winning team, so to speak. Sure, we still fight sin, endure trials, and grow weary on the journey. Nevertheless, “in all these things, we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).
Faithful. Joyful. Triumphant.
How is the Lord inviting you to grow? As Christmas draws near, take a step closer to Jesus and ask Him to shape these qualities in your heart.
DIG DEEPER
Read “Growing Up in Christ” by Michael Kelley
