Consider Again the Event of Christmas

 

When Pope Julius I authorized December 25 to be celebrated as the birthday of Jesus in A.D. 353, who would have ever thought that it would become what it is today. When Professor Charles Follen lit candles on the first Christmas tree in America in 1832, who would have ever thought that the decorations would become as elaborate as they are today.

It is a long time since 1832, longer still from 353, longer still from that dark night brightened by a special star in which Jesus the king was born. Yet, as we approach December 25 again, it gives us yet another opportunity to pause, and in the midst of all the excitement and elaborate decorations and expensive commercialization which surround Christmas today, to consider again the event of Christmas and the person whose birth we celebrate.  -Brian L. Harbour, James W. Cox, The Minister's Manual: 1994, San Fransico: Harper Collins, 1993, p. 254.

The prediction of the Virgin Birth (seed of a woman) of Jesus came immediately after Adam and Eve sinned. Though they were sentenced to die, God in His mercy gave a promise of redemption through the one who would be born of a virgin—Jesus Christ.

Simply put, God sentenced man to death because of our sin. He showed His love for us by exercising grace and took the punishment upon Himself. Jesus, being God, came into the world just like any other person—by being born. Yet Jesus lived a perfect life so that He could be the final sacrifice to cover all people’s sin. This is why Jesus was born and why Jesus had to die.

This is why Jesus is called “the last Adam” (1 Corinthians 15:45) —He in effect became a “new Adam,” a “perfect Adam,” so He could die for the descendants of Adam and offer them a free gift of salvation.

“God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son to the end that all who believe in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” That’s the promise of the Incarnate God. This extraordinary little baby grew up, lived a life of doing good and bringing a message of peace and justice to the people, and then willingly laid down His life so that we might have life everlasting.

The Bible says the greatest act of love is when one lays down his life for his friends (John 15:13). The God of the Bible displays this kind of love.

The great preacher Charles H. Spurgeon once said. "He was not born in this world as God's Son, but he was sent, or was given, so that you clearly perceive that the distinction is a suggestive one, and conveys much good truth to us."

When Jesus came to earth it was a low point in earth history, so His timing was very significant, but the mission was completed perfectly and we now have the opportunity to return to God as a free gift in Jesus Christ.

In closing, for those honoring God in a special way this holiday season please remember that:

• Christmas should be a time when we remember that Jesus came to earth to save us from Adam’s sin.
• Christmas should be a time when we recall that God became lower than the angels to be born, live, suffer and die for us.
• Christmas should be a time for us to remember that we as Christians have an obligation to leave the comforts of our everyday life to help those less fortunate just as Jesus did for all of us. 

Scripture: Matthew 19:25-26; Romans 3:23; Romans 8:38-39; Romans 10:9-10; Hebrews 7:25;  2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:8; Revelation 22:17.

Prayer: "Oh God in Heaven, I believe with all of my heart that Jesus has been raised from the dead. I receive your Word, and I repent of sin. I renounce the past. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. I receive my forgiveness. I receive the new birth, cleansed and washed in the Word and in the precious blood of Jesus. Fill me with Your Spirit, in Jesus' name. Amen."

Have a blessed day!

Diedre