On Christmas we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. We remember when God himself was born as a little baby boy!
But why did he do that? Why did Jesus come?
Scripture is very clear: to save us from our sins.
We’re sinners. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3.23) “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves.” (1 John 1.8) Further, we are all conceived with the stain of Original Sin: “in Adam all die.” (1 Corinthians 15.22) We are in desperate need of a savior.
And that’s why Jesus was born on Christmas. When the angel announced Jesus’ birth to the shepherds, it was proclaimed as the birth of a savior: “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2.10-11; emphasis added) His mission was made clear even in his name, which means “God is salvation.” As the angel Gabriel said to Joseph: “She [Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1.21; emphasis added)
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of our Savior – the only savior. The same baby that was laid in a manger would later die on a cross for the sins of the whole world. And he would teach during his ministry: “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14.6)
The joy of Christmas is inextricably linked to the the glories of Good Friday and Easter. This Christmas, let us remember that and praise God for giving us this savior – and then humbly go out into all the world to preach the good news.