Approximately 2020 years ago...
...the world was changed forever
It happened in a town whose name literally translates as “house of bread.” A babe was born, one who would later describe Himself as “the bread of life,” and “the bread of God…which comes down out of heaven” (John 6:32-35).
In that little town of Bethlehem, the Lord of all creation humbled Himself, laying aside the glory He had with His Father, taking the form of flesh to be born of a virgin who lay Him in an animal feeding trough.
He who created the world stepped down from His throne to save from condemnation those who would receive Him. Instead of a golden diadem, He was crowned with a ring of thorns and hung on a cross to die for the sin of the world.
Though He had never Himself sinned, He willingly gave His life to save those who had, to free from slavery to sin whomever would receive Him. His act was not in vain.
The death of Jesus stunned His followers. At first they were bewildered, not having understood all He had taught them. Until…they found His sealed and heavily-guarded tomb open and empty, and He once again came to them, verifying His identity by the holes in His hands.
Following His appearance to over 500 eyewitnesses, the small group of disciples He left behind turned the world upside down simply by preaching His message - the kingdom of God has drawn near, our savior has come, and He died on the cross to reconcile us to God.
This message resonated so strongly throughout history that even our calendar was conformed to measure years from His birth (though inaccurately, as the specific date remains unknown). Whether you subscribe to using BC (Before Christ) and AD (Anno Domini - year of our Lord), or BCE (before common era) and CE (common era), our years are measured from the birth of Jesus.
It is this turning point in history, the crux of human existence, that we celebrate on Christmas day. As the angels proclaimed to some shepherds nearby, “I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; for today in the city of David there has been born for you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).
Indeed, that day the Messiah, long prophesied by those such as Isaiah, came to dwell among men. As Matthew describes, He was “‘Immanuel,’ which translated means, ‘God with us’” (Matthew 1:23).
He was rejected by many, “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John. 1:12).
He still does this today. Those who reject Him remain under condemnation (this is already their situation - John 3:36), not because they reject Him, but because of their sin. But those who hear Jesus’ words and believe Him who sent Jesus has eternal life and does not come into condemnation, but has passed out of death into life (John 5:24).
This good news, that God loved us so much that, while we were yet sinners, He sent His Son to die for us, is reason for celebration and contemplation. And it is this act of God, of sending His Son to be born in the likeness of human flesh, that we celebrate on Christmas day.
Give praise and thanks to God for this immeasurable act of mercy, a gift we did not deserve nor could we ever earn. Praise Him on Christmas, and remember the reason we celebrate is not because of the gifts under the tree, but because of the gift of His grace which is of far greater value than money could ever purchase.
Have a very merry and blessed Christmas!
