Genesis isn’t exactly the book in the Bible you might consider studying in December. Most likely, you would be more inclined to go to the book of Luke or Matthew to read about the birth of Jesus. However, to understand our Savior, we must go back to the beginning, which starts in Genesis. 

I love Genesis because it explains that God is the Creator of the entire universe. Each time He creates something, He says, “It is good.” Genesis 1:1-5 says, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening, and there was morning, the first day. Returning to the beginning, we see God created everything, including man and woman”. 

But, what is incredibly unique about man and woman is that God created them in His image. Because we were created in God’s image, we can assume that we were not intended to suffer. God created the Garden of Eden for Adam and Eve. It was perfect, complete with everything they needed, including fellowship with God, their Creator. It was an ideal place, complete with delicious food, filled with animals to love, yet man still sinned. 

God gave Adam and Eve only one directive—not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  

We know, however, that Adam and Eve ate the fruit from that tree and sinned against God. Because of that, sin entered the world. That sin, your sin, and mine separate us from God. The wrong we do can only be forgiven through accepting our Savior, Jesus. His birth, death, and resurrection paid the price for all the wrong I do and the wrong you do. 

Because we were created in God’s image, we were never intended to suffer pain and hardship. Instead, God intended that we enjoy life, be fruitful and convene with Him. But sin ruined that. And now, you have pain. I have pain. Some suffering is emotional, and other types are physical or mental, but it isn’t what God intended. However, we all experience it because we are not living the life God intended. 

So, what do we do with this knowledge?

Whatever you are going through, Jesus understands. He suffered and died, experiencing every betrayal, hurt, disappointment, and bit of suffering we could ever endure. He is our example. 

While we all have pain and suffering, we can trust God that He will use it for good. Romans 8:28 tells us that God works all things together for our good. So when we look at the gift of Christ, we understand that His suffering on the cross was for good, our good, so that we could have eternal life. The gift of eternal life changes everything! It gives us hope. While we were not intended to suffer, sin brought suffering into our world. However, we can take heart because God works through our pain to bring about new life, growth, and new beginnings. 

Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 

This Christmas, you may be facing hardship, pain, or loneliness. Whatever is breaking your heart, Jesus can help you. He is with you. He loves you so much that He gave His very life for you. He wants to carry your burden. He was intimately involved in creation. And, He is intrinsically involved in Christ’s birth, life, death, and resurrection. 

What then does Genesis have to do with Christmas?

• God created you in His image. 
• He is the Creator of new beginnings and offers you a new life through His Son, Jesus.
• If you are not already a believer, pray, and trust Jesus as your personal Savior. 
• Come to God, trusting He will work all things together for your good.
• If there is unconfessed sin in your life, ask for forgiveness so that you don’t create a barrier to the blessings He wants to give you. 
• Ask God for His peace to comfort you and direct you, during Christmas, and all year long.

Finally, remember that every aspect of your life is in His hands as God’s child. He is working on your behalf and will bring good out of every difficulty you face. Today, whatever is going on in your life can be used for God’s glory. He gives us so many opportunities for new beginnings. We can rest knowing that our suffering is temporary. God created us to live in the Garden of Eden, which was absolute perfection. However, due to sin, we will have difficulty, but we can have hope because one day, we will, as God’s children, live in eternity with Him.