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28 Dec:
What Was the Purpose of Christmas?
Luke 1:21 “She will bear a son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Luke 2:10.11 “But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for behold, 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.”
So, the question may arise to ask why was it necessary that Christ come to earth and become a mortal human being? The answer at the core of this question can be found in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” But to reiterate the question: why did Jesus have to be born and become a man to save the lost?
- Heb 2:17,18 “Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.”
- Heb 4:15 “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.
- John 3:14,15,16 “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up – so that whoever believes will, in Him, have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in Him shall not parish, but have eternal life.
In order for Christ to experience His mortality it was necessary for Him to leave heaven and start His life in the event we now know as Christmas.
- Heb 2:6,7 “. . . What is man, that You remember Him? Or the Son of Man, that You are concerned about Him? You have made Him for a little while lower than the angels. . .”.
- Mtt 1:18,23 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit.” “Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and shall bear a son, and they shall call His name “Immanuel”, which translated means, “God with us.”
In other verses of Scripture, we see Jesus’ earthly development: Luke 2:52 “And Jesus kept increasing in wisdom and stature and found favor with God and men.” Scripture then leapfrogs forward to the time of Jesus beginning His earthly ministry”:
Mtt 2:13-17 “Jesus arrived from Galilee at the Jordan to be baptized. . . . [Then John baptized Him.] When Jesus came up the heavens were opened and the spirit of God descended upon Jesus and a voice from the heavens said, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”
From this time forward Jesus begins to fulfill His title “Immanuel: God with us.”
Mtt 7:28,29 “When Jesus had finished these words, the crowds were amazed at His teaching because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.” Luke 5:15 “But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.” Luke 4:40 “While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.” John 12:44-46 “And Jesus cried out and said, ‘He who believes in Me, does not believe in Me but in Him who sent Me. He who sees Me sees the One who sent Me. I have come as Light into the world, so that everyone who believes in Me will not remain in darkness.”
Jesus was truly bringing our loving Father into the presence of man. God’s loving grace was evident in the way Jesus interacted with mankind while here on this earth. He offered forgiveness for the woman caught in adultery, was condemned for eating with sinners, empathized with loved ones who lost Lazarus and removed demons from people’s lives. This compassion and concern exemplify the purpose for His time here on earth and the purpose for which He came.
The clearest illustration of God’s love for us is illustrated by Jesus on the cross: John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life”
The clearest illustration of Jesus’ love for us can be seen in Jesus on the cross: Luke 23:33,34 “When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus. 34Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don't know what they're doing.” Even on the cross Jesus is offering compassion and forgiveness to sinners. Even on the cross Christ is promising Paradise for one of the thieves hanging next to Him.
Paul puts it this way: Phil 2:5-8 “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.”
The love that Christ has for us sinners was clearly illustrated during His life on earth. He was born under humble circumstances, He journeyed many miles during His three-year ministry – administering healing and teachings, drawing man to Himself and to God.
John records Jesus’ own words about this:
John 12:32,33 “’And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to Myself.’ But He was saying this to indicate the kind of death by which He was to die.”
What was the purpose of Christmas? It was the first step in a progression of steps that puts Christ on the cross as a sacrifice for mankind.
But the good news Jesus brought to humanity does not end with His death:
Mtt 28:5,6 “And the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, for He has risen, just as He said. Come, see the place where He was lying.”
And His story is still not done: Acts 1:9-11 “And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. While they were gazing upward two men in white clothing said, ‘Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
And the story is still not finished: 1 Thess 4:16,17 “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. The we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”
Now the story which began with the birth of a small baby boy in a manger – will finish with us all joining the Lord in the New Heaven and New Earth. This is why we celebrate the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ and this was the purpose of His coming – to reunite us with God!!!
Or, as He put it – to seek and save the lost!!!
21 Dec: Insights from the Christmas Story
When I was thinking about today’s lesson, I thought that although we know the story of Jesus’ birth very well - there might be some additional insight we can gain in looking at the story again. Or maybe the insight that we already know may have more relevancy today than in times past. The beginning of the Christmas story starts in heaven:
Heb 2:7a “You have made Him for a little while lower than the angels”
John 1:14 “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory…”
Christmas Insight: The story of Christ happens because it is God’s Plan!
In other words, Jesus is going to come down from heaven and becomes a man because God made this plan from the very beginning of time and is even mentioned in the 3rd chapter of Gen. The question that then arises is it possible that God has a plan which includes you or I as the main actors or actresses?
Lk 2:1ff “Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census was to be taken of all the inhabited earth. Joseph went up to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family with David, along with Mary who he was engaged to and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
In this passage we see God arranging events of this world so that His plan will bring about what He has previously foretold. In the Old Testament we saw Noah build an ark to save a remnant of mankind from a world flood. We saw Joseph being sold into slavery so that he would be in the right place and the right time to save his family during a worldwide famine. We know in the New Testament a man who was born blind and Lazarus become sick and die so that God would be glorified through Jesus.
Christmas Insight: The story of Christ happens because God works in man’s history to accomplish His plans.
The question then is are we willing to allow God to work in and through us for the sake of His kingdom – even if it means that we must take up a ‘CROSS’ in order to follow and obey His will?
Lk 1:26ff (paraphrased) “Now in the 6th month (of Elizabeth’s pregnancy) the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, descendant of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel said to her you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason, the holy Child shall be called the Son of God.”
Mt 1:18ff (paraphrased) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream telling him not to be afraid to take her as his wife for the child was conceived of the Holy Spirit. And Joseph awoke from his sleep and did as the angel for the Lord commanded him and took Mary as his wife. He kept her a virgin until she gave birth to a Son; and he called His name Jesus.” “Now all this took place to fulfill what was spoken by the Lord through the prophet(s).”
As you can clearly see, the birth of Jesus was God acting in people’s lives to bring about His plan to redeem mankind.
Consider Mary:
God has placed her into an “unbelievable situation” – miraculous pregnancy!
God has placed her into an “uncertain situation” – how will Joseph react to this?
Consider Joseph:
God has placed him into an “unbelievable situation” – accept a miraculous pregnancy!
God has place him into an “uncertain situation” – responsible for raising GOD’s SON!!
Consider Jesus:
Jesus was placed into an “unbelievable situation” – He became man and even died.
Jesus was placed into a “certain situation” – Mtt 16:21 Jesus tells His apostles of the impending events of suffering, death & resurrection.
Christmas Insight: God works in this world to bring about and achieve His plans – even using human agency in ways that we may not understand or even want.
Back to my earlier question: Is it possible that some aspects of our lives are God’s handiwork in order for us to bring about glory to and for God? Could our cross-bearing situation be for the purpose of bringing about God’s will in order to complete His plans?
Luke 2:8-13 “In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the field and keeping watch over their flock by night. And suddenly an angel of the Lord suddenly stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them. The angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; I bring you good news of great joy which will be for all the people; This will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger. And suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly hosts praising God.” Jesus’ story starts humbly yet ends grandiosely. He is born in a manger under the humblest of circumstances, yet His entrance is celebrated by angels and a heavenly host. I am reminded of Job, whose life was decimated by some of the worst events imaginable, but he ends his life being blessed ten times what it was in the beginning. I am reminded of Joseph being sold into slavery, yet he rescues his family. I am reminded of David and Bathsheba losing their child conceived in sin, yet their next child is Solomon who becomes the wisest man in history and builds the Lord’s temple for Israel. I am reminded of Paul who persecutes the church and becomes the person called to bring salvation to the Gentiles. Then there is Jesus born in a manger, died on the cross and resurrected to sit at God’s right hand.
Christmas Insight: Are WE willing to WAIT faithfully – trusting the truth of Rom 8:28 to play out in our lives – knowing that all things will work to good for those that love the Lord?
Christmas Insight Summary: God loves us, hears/sees us, and works for us as promised:
Rom 8:28 “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love (Him).”
Philippians 4:19 “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.”
2 Corinthians 9:8 “And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
Ephesians 3:20 “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”
1 Peter 5:7 “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
The summary question that comes to mind is are we willing to serve God’s will and His kingdom – even if it means there is a cost to pay, a cross to bear, and a sacrifice to make? Scripture says we have been bought with a price. Are we in turn willing to pay a price?