“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”-Matthew 25:21
Faithfulness is defined by the quality of being loyal and steadfast. It is not gaudy, or flashy. It isn’t especially marketable, and does not garner the attention of the masses. Faithfulness is often taken for granted, and brushed aside for other superlatives. However, it is paramount for salvation.
At the time of Jesus’s birth, there are many that we esteem faithful. Zacharias and Elisabeth who trusted in the Lord even when they were past the age of parenting. Joining the company of Abraham and Sarah judging him “faithful who had promised.” Shepherds keeping watch over their flock. Taking the night shift, the late hour when sleepiness and compromise often take hold. Yet they abide faithfully. The wisemen, seeing a star in the east, trusting and striking out on a journey of faith to see the Savior king. Joseph taking Mary to wife. A woman pregnant with the child of the Holy Ghost. This man abided faithfully in spite of every reason to doubt. Mary, given to the will of the Lord, abandoning all hope of a “conventional” life to bear the child that would save the world. Serving God faithfully as the mother of our Lord Jesus; the one true Son of God. Simeon, waiting in the temple for the consolation of Israel, a consolation that was thousands of years in the making, an unknown baby to the world but would be made well known to Simeon and us by the Holy Ghost. Anna, keeping her post, watching in the temple over the days and years of her widowhood. Waiting in anticipation for the child Jesus that would come. Fulfilling her calling to prophesy over Christ in the name of God Almighty. Faithful were those at the birth of the Savior, reminding us that we must also be faithful. When the cares of this world come we must be faithful. When the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things creep in we must be faithful. When the devil is fast at our heels we must be faithful. We must be faithful in the small things, in the big things, in everything; faithful. The task of faithfulness will manifest a testimony of deliverance, because God will never leave us or forsake us. In spite of all the negative, the cries of progress and howls from the world that we believe in fairy tales. In spite of every doubt, when the Chrsitian walks in faith they walk in strength. When you believe in spite of the changes in opinion, in spite of the circumstances, abiding in Christ, then “faithful is he that calleth you who also will do it.”
O come all ye faithful, come they must and come they will. As the faithful ones came to celebrate the birth of Crhist, so the faithful (and only the faithful) will gather around the throne Christ. Those that overcome and abide faithful will receive a crown of life. They will share in the glory, and worship the risen Savior. The baby that lived, died, and rose to be the conquering king. A king that brings eternal life to all who are faithful. O come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant!
