These are the days when many angels are seen, Santa Claus will be present everywhere, and everyone is hoping for a white Christmas. However, what precisely are Christians commemorating on Christmas?
The birth of Jesus
Christmas was originally observed as the [commemoration of the birth of Jesus] more than 2000 years ago, despite the impression that advertising had taken over the holiday. The world has altered since the arrival of Jesus. Before Christ and Anno Domini, or the year of the Lord, are the years that we count.
His coming foretold
The prophet Isaiah foretells Jesus’ arrival as the world’s Savior in 700 BC, a long time before Jesus was born. “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those who live in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned,” according to Isaiah 9:2 and 9:6. For to us a son is given, a child is born, and He will bear the government. And He shall be known as the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Wonderful Counselor.
Jesus is God
Jesus is more than just a unique individual—He is God who took on human form. The passages “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” are found in John 1:1 and John 1:14.The Word took on physical form and settled among us. We have beheld His glory, the glory of the only Son, full of grace and truth, who descended from the Father.
God became man
It is fantastic that the almighty God was willing to humble Himself and in Jesus Christ became a human being to carry the wages of our sin and sorrow. In Philippians 2:5-11 Paul sings a song of adoration and says: “Christ Jesus, who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage; rather, He made Himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death – even death on a cross! Therefore, God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
We can stand for God in Jesus
We cannot ascend to God as humans. God does not approve of us as we are. God descended to us in Jesus Christ because we are unable to stand before a holy God because of our sin. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest,” said Jesus, opening His arms to welcome us (Matthew 11:28). This invitation is still valid right now. According to the Bible: “He gave the right to become children of God to everyone who did receive Him and to those who believed in His name.” (John 1:12).
A wonderful Christmas gift
One could argue that Jesus is the greatest gift that God has ever given to humanity. “Because the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord, but the price of sin is death,” reads Romans 6:23. Let’s honor this amazing gift. Remember to accept this gift in your own life as well: “Jesus, I am grateful that you came to earth to reconcile me with the Father and to free me from sin.” The amazing narrative of Christmas is told in great detail in Luke 2 of his gospel. That is the reason we rejoice!
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