Every year at Christmas, Christians the world over commemorate the wonders of the event of Jesus’ birth and how its impact has influenced the world and changed the course of human history forever. As we intentionally take time to dwell on Jesus’ birth and His sacrifice for us, the awe and the wonder of it can settle in our hearts and stir us to worship God for His gift of love to the world (John 3:16). It is a timeless message of love, joy, and promise.
Christmas was a singular event that occurred in a small country, in a tiny town, two thousand years ago. But through that one event, the light and truth of the love of God poured into the hearts and understanding of all who would believe in Him. The birth of Jesus was a tangible demonstration to the entire universe of the all-encompassing power of God’s love.
This baby born in a manger in Bethlehem was destined to become the sacrificial Lamb of God, “without blemish and without spot,” who would take away the sins of the world (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18–19). He would be revealed to us as “the heir of all things, the creator of the world; the one who upholds the universe; the radiance of God’s glory and the exact imprint of His nature” (Hebrews 1:2–3).
The Bible describes the magnitude of who Jesus is. He is God manifested in the flesh as a human being, full of glory, grace and truth (John 1:14); the Almighty who is and who always was, and who is still to come; the beginning and the end (Revelation 1:8 NLT). The Apostle Paul called Him “the image of the invisible God,” and said that “all things were created through Him and for Him and in Him all things hold together” (Colossians 1:15–17).
Jesus came to earth as the bread of life come down from heaven (John 6:35, 51), and the true light which was to give light to everyone (John 1:9). The Bible foretold that He would be a strength to the poor, a help to the needy and distressed, and a refuge from the storm (Isaiah 25:4 NKJV). The Christ child, who was the most precious gift God could ever give to humanity, humbled Himself to take on human form, and would yet humble Himself through death on the cross (Philippians 2:8).
Jesus came to bring peace, for He is the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). He came to bring healing and hope for all people everywhere. He is our friend, our Savior, our teacher, and our God. He is our mediator who is “able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them” (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:25).
Jesus’ coming to earth was the most selfless act we could comprehend. And if that was not awe-inspiring enough, He made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up His life for our sakes through a cruel and painful death on the cross, taking the wages of our sin on Himself (Romans 6:23). As a result of Jesus’ sacrifice of love and His resurrection three days later, God offers eternal life with Him to all who will believe in and receive Jesus. What unfathomable depths of love and what an inexpressible gift for all humankind (2 Corinthians 9:15)!
We know that Jesus chose to take on human form and live a life within the bounds and restrictions of time in a physical world, and to face all that we as human beings face. God chose, out of love for us despite our sins and failings, to make the utmost sacrifice by giving His Son to rescue us and bring us into His kingdom. “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). He allowed His Son to die for our sins, which was the ultimate act of pure love.
When we celebrate Christmas each year, we join our fellow Christians around the world in an act of worship and thankfulness for God’s gift of love. As we bring our hearts to Jesus in adoration and prayer, His love, joy, and peace surround us. Even if we are facing times of hardship during the Christmas season, we are reminded of His wonderful promises.
Sadly, Christmas for many is little more than a secular, commercialized holiday. There is little to celebrate for the millions of people in our world today who grapple with poverty, injustice, war, fear, and suffering. The Christmas message of God’s gift of salvation and promise of a future where there will be no more pain, suffering or tears becomes more relevant by the day, as events erode people’s sense of security in this life (Revelation 21:4).
This Christmas may we each let the message of hope ring in our hearts and radiate to those around us through our lives. May we each do our part to proclaim the Christmas message that Jesus is our eternal hope, and He is the answer for those seeking truth and meaning.
Let’s share the good news that Jesus loves each person so much that He took on human form so that He could experience the life that we all face, unshielded from its hardships and upheavals. Even though He is the Son of God, He faced dire situations from the moment of His conception in a culture where an unwed mother faced being an outcast from society. He didn’t choose the easy path through life, because in His love for us He wanted to fully experience human existence.
His earthly parents experienced displacement and fled into exile as refugees, and in so doing fulfilled prophecies in the Bible that foretold the events of His birth and life (Hosea 11:1; Isaiah 7:14). We can find hope and comfort in every kind of trouble we will ever face in this life with the sure knowledge that Jesus truly understands everything we experience, and He can sustain and uphold us through everything.
May we each do our part to share the love, joy, and promise of Christmas that hope exists, and everyone—no matter who they are or what their life has been—is invited to enter into His kingdom of peace, love, joy, and eternal life. May we be always ready to spread His message of peace, goodwill, and love so that others can experience the true meaning and joy of Christmas.
If you would like to experience the depth of love behind the Christmas story and all that it represents, I pray that you will accept Jesus’ gift of salvation if you have not already done so. You can do this by simply praying the following prayer, asking Jesus to forgive you for your sins and to be your Lord and Savior.
Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died for me and rose from the dead. Please forgive me for all my sins. I invite You to come into my heart and life. Please fill me with Your love and Holy Spirit, and grant me Your gift of eternal life. Amen.