As we have talked to people recently we like to ask “why do you celebrate Christmas?” The answers range from tradition and fun with family and friends over to the true meaning of Christmas: the birth of Jesus Christ.
But, why?
I mean, why did Jesus have to be born?
When you look into the scripture as a whole, you see that Jesus’ birth fits into a story that is far greater than just His birth. To see it you have to look at why was Jesus born.
Jesus was born to pay for the sins of the world. Look at what John the Baptist said:
The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)
So the next question is how did he do that? He took away the sin of the world by living a perfect life, dying on the cross and raising from the dead. By this we see the connection between Christmas and Easter!
Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. (1 Corinthians 15:3-5)
What Scriptures is this referring to? This is talking about the Old Testament prophecy of Jesus. Prophecy of who he would be, where he would be born, etc. For more on this, please see the previous BLOG article on witnessing about Jesus Christ.
But there is more. Both before and after this. You can trace Jesus all the way back to the Garden. Adam and Eve were in perfect fellowship with each other and with God. They had one rule: do not eat of a particular tree. Yet they did not obey. After this sin entered the world and all men since have been born with a sin nature. It is because of this sin nature that God sent His son to save us from our sin.
The LORD God said to the serpent,
“Because you have done this,
cursed are you above all livestock
and above all beasts of the field;
on your belly you shall go,
and dust you shall eat
all the days of your life.
I will put enmity between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and her offspring;
he shall bruise your head,
and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:14-15)
You can use this when witnessing to people, especially people, like Jewish people, who know the Old Testament very well. The offspring that is referred to here is Jesus.
So now you can see that Christmas is linked from Genesis 3 through the Old Testament, to the birth of Jesus, to His death and resurrection. But it does not end there.
And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)
Jesus has ascended to Heaven. Because the past promised have been fulfilled, we know that the future promises will be as well. Jesus is coming back in Judgment.
11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in[d] blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
17 Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and with a loud voice he called to all the birds that fly directly overhead, “Come, gather for the great supper of God, 18 to eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all men, both free and slave, both small and great.” 19 And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 21 And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (Revelation 19:11-21)
This is why Christmas is so important. One day, Jesus is coming back. When he does he comes in judgment. Now, some might say, yeah that is a long time off. However, that judgment also comes for use when we take our last breathe.
And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,(Hebrews 9:27)
We don’t know when Jesus is coming back. We don’t know when we are going to die. So you need to be ready. If you have not repented of your sin and believed in the Gospel to save you (Mark 1:15), then I encourage you to read the Gospel message and be ready for the coming of the King!
