The Real Reason for the Season

Christians and non-Christians alike are aware that Christmas is about JESUS CHRIST. But why do we really need Christmas?

Christmas exists because we sin.

The story of Christmas actually begins in the Old Testament, Genesis 3, with the fall of the human race.

Eve is deceived by Satan in the guise of a serpent; she and Adam disobey GOD, eat from the only tree in the garden forbidden to them and are banned from Eden, GOD’s paradise. Sin and death enter the world and the serpent, Eve, and Adam are cursed.

However, GOD shows mercy and promises restoration – a way to reinstate us into His paradise through a special child who would one day be born to defeat the serpent: “I will put enmity between you [the serpent] and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Genesis 3:15).

GOD fulfilled His Genesis 3 promise in the New Testament when GOD the SON is born of a virgin by the power of His Holy Spirit. The Gospel of Matthew’s telling of JESUS’ birth confirms the reason for JESUS’ birth through an angelic messenger whom GOD sent to Joseph, the soon-to-be husband of the Virgin Mary:

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 2:20-21

So what about JESUS should we celebrate?

Nativity scenes are everywhere during the Christmas Season – on post cards, in Malls, on clothing, dishes, postage stamps, gift wrap, etc., with the central figure being a tiny, swaddled baby JESUS lying in a “manger.”

This helpless infant JESUS is not all that Christians celebrate.

GOD sent His SON to earth on a mission; JESUS proclaims this at the very start of His earthly ministry:  "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free,..” Luke 4:18

The JESUS of Christmas is a Divine force…

• GOD in human flesh: In the beginning the Word [JESUS] already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God….So the Word became human and made his home among us. John 1:1, 14. JESUS Himself indicated a shared nature with the Father, “I and the Father are one.” John 10:30; (CHRIST) said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;” Hebrews 10:5
• Heavenly authority with power to forgive our sin and release us from bondage: Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “My child, your sins are forgiven.” But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves, “What is he saying? This is blasphemy! Only God can forgive sins!” Jesus knew immediately what they were thinking, so he asked them, “Why do you question this in your hearts? … I will prove to you that the Son of Man has the authority on earth to forgive sins.” Mark 2: 5-10
• Creator of new life for us: Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die…” John 11:25.26; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

The birth of JESUS simply set in motion GOD’s Genesis 3 plan that eventually led to His dying for us.

While time off from work, giving and receiving gifts, eggnog and Christmas lights are all well and good, the Christian celebration is about much more.

We are sinners and the reason CHRIST came. We must put a greater focus at Christmas on the fact that His birth initiated our ransom from the captivity of sin by the sacrifice of His body on a cross (Hebrews 10:10).

We celebrate also with an eye on JESUS’ second coming when Satan’s defeat is complete and we are restored to our original place in Paradise with our Father.

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here

Until the Son of God appears.

Rejoice! Rejoice!

Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.

"He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord...” Luke 1:14-17

Prayer and Thanksgiving:  The true LIGHT that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but his own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:912 Holy Father, our prayer is that this year we would recognize the true gift we were given to celebrate at Christmas. That we worship and adore JESUS for who He truly is - GOD the SON come to earth with all authority and power to save His own. Thank you JESUS that every day of our lives YOU remain Emmanuel, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, and our Prince of Peace. In this we rejoice! Asking all things in the NAME above all names. Amen.

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile