In These Last Times

 In These Last Times

December 16, 2025

1 Peter 1:17-21 (NASB95) 

17 If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conductyourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; 18 knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, 19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 20 For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 21 who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

In this passage, the Apostle Peter summarizes the message of Christmas; indeed the whole gospel message. Though Jesus was foreknown from the foundation of the world, he appeared to us as a baby at Christmas, in these last times, for our benefit. And He came to redeem us as the lamb of God, to die and raise from the dead for the glory of God so that we might have faith and hope. This hope is the true meaning of Christmas. So rejoice in this season and remember that the joy of His birth, as proclaimed by the angels, is only the beginning of our joy and hope as He came to give us faith, hope and eternal life with Him.