And I will put enmity

between you and the woman,

and between your offspring and hers;

he will crush your head,

and you will strike his heel.

Genesis 3:5

The promise of a Savior was not an afterthought; it was seeded immediately after the Fall of humanity. In this single verse from Genesis, often called the protoevangelium or the "first gospel," we find the earliest, most fundamental foundation for our Christmas hope. The ancient promise established an unwavering expectation of redemption that would echo through history. God, in His divine control, laid out a plan to restore what was broken, assuring us that His perfect will would unfold even in a world now marked by chaos and sin. This promise set the stage for a long period of expectation.

The centuries that followed Genesis 3:15 were filled with longing and prophecies that continually pointed toward a coming Savior. From Abraham and David to the prophets like Daniel and Ezekiel, the expectation of a redeemer was passed down through generations. It was this deep, ancient hope that sustained God's people through 500 years of painful silence, leading them to believe that "this can't be it". The great light of Christ came to a people walking in darkness, assuring them—and us—that even disappointment cannot extinguish divine hope.

When we trace our struggles—the personal brokenness, relational conflicts, and general chaos—back to this first promise, we can rest in Jesus' ultimate victory. The promise of crushing the serpent's head was fulfilled on the cross and through the resurrection, a victory that re-establishes God’s sovereignty over sin and chaos. The birth of Christ, celebrated at Christmas, is the tangible beginning of that ancient promise being made flesh. It reminds us that no matter how overwhelming a struggle may seem, it is part of a larger story of redemption that God set in motion from the very beginning.

As you face a struggle today, trace it back to the first promise, resting in Jesus’ ultimate victory over sin and chaos.

Questions for Reflection

1. Think of a current struggle or area of chaos in your life. How does tracing it back to the "Ancient Promise" of Genesis 3:15 change your perspective on that struggle?

2. God's people knew a Savior "would save/heal/unite/redeem". Which of these aspects of Jesus's victory is most meaningful to you right now?

3. The promise of redemption was unwavering, despite centuries of silence. How can you hold onto hope in a situation where God seems quiet or distant?