Merry Christmas! As believers, it’s fine to say this. I recognize there are some in Christian circles who would rather say something to the effect of “Happy Advent.” I understand their sentiments about terminology. However, there are larger issues at stake, eternally speaking.
The Savior of the World was born into relative obscurity, ending the B.C. (Before Christ) Era. To be precise there was never a time when Jesus did not exist. After all, He is the eternal God (John 1:1-3; Colossians 1:15-16; Genesis 1:1).
There was a time when time, or at least history, was measured in terms of Before Christ (B.C.) and Anno Domini—A.D. (Latin for in the year of our Lord). As a child, I believed that A.D. stood for “after the death (of Christ).” One day, someone asked me, “What about the in-between time?”
As I said, Jesus, the Christ, the Son of God, God the Son, and Savior of the World—king of the Universe—was born into relative obscurity. Our secular culture would like to keep it that way. They changed B.C. (before Christ) to B.C.E. (before the common era). Some things you can’t hide. All history points to his coming. And He left his mark on the world.
This baby in the manger, born in Israel, in the city of Bethlehem—a king born in a manger. A feed trough. But the baby didn’t stay a baby. He grew into a man. A controversial man at that. He claimed to be Israel’s Messiah. He claimed to be the Savior of the World. He claimed to be God. Despite these extravagant claims, the local authorities nailed him to a wooden cross, one of the more agonizing and humiliating ways to die.
Why did Jesus do this or allow it to happen? Well, that baby in the manger was God in the manger, come to do for us what we could not (and frankly would not) do for ourselves in the ultimate act of love and sacrifice.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. (John 3:16-18, 36)
The good news is that God has intervened, starting in the form of a baby born in a manger, born in obscurity rather than a palace—the King of the Universe—born and placed in a feed trough. Then, according to prophecy, different people arrived to see this new-born king. We know about the angels, wise men, the shepherds, and, allegedly, a drummer boy. All the makings of a sentimental Hallmark Christmas story or card.
His story is not one of sentimentality but sacrificial love.
What did the angel say, “I bring you good news of great joy what will be for all people... behold unto you a Savior is born... Christ the Lord.” Good news for all people. Without bad news, you don’t need good news. What’s the bad news?
Humanity has alienated itself from God, rejecting and disregarding him. It finds itself unable to dig itself out of the rebellious hole it has dug for itself. Humanity is at war with God and itself. Look around you. The wages of sin is death, so teens, grandmas, and others are perishing without Christ. The good news is it does not have to be because God has intervened by providing a Savior, without whom there will never be peace on earth or goodwill toward men.
But the good news is that God has provided rescue as a gift. Don’t push that gift away. You can’t afford to. Embrace Christ. Tell others to do so as well. Receive the gift of forgiveness. How? It’s as easy as ABC.
Admit you are a sinner. You’ve done things wrong. Maybe they are small; perhaps they are not. But you have broken God’s law. You may not be as bad as the guy or gal next door, but you are not good enough to stand before a Holy God. Admit it.
Believe there is rescue. That’s the gift of forgiveness that God offers. Take the offer. Believe that God can save you from your sins and their consequences through Christ. Believe in His promises. Admit and believe. Put your confidence in Christ.
Commit. Commit yourself to His care, his service, his worship. He loved you; love him back. How? Find ways. Start by finding a real, true Bible-teaching church and learn how to love him better. Love isn’t a sentiment when it comes to loving who that baby in the manger really is. It’s a commitment.
Now, I’ve only skipped a stone across the surface. If you didn’t know God before, you have an outline to do so (ABC). Suppose you are a believer with lost friends and family. Maybe you’ve got a starting point to begin a conversation with the aim of seeing them embrace Christ.
If all of this is unfamiliar to you, come join us on Sundays at 9 and 11 and our Christmas Eve Service Tuesday evening from 6 PM to 7 PM (coffee, cocoa, and cookies afterward). You’ll be glad you did. Happy Advent. Merry Christmas.
Don’t pass this Christmas without considering the baby's message in the manger: “The Kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel (Mark 1:15).” Listen to him and receive the greatest gift—eternal life. Whatever you do, please don’t push it away.