The miracle, meaning & the message of Christmas
In today's reading, our text is taken from gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke chapter 2:1-14.
The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in the gospel of Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20. It starts with the full description of that majestic, arrival of Jesus; He is not merely a baby in the crib. He is the only son of God. And because of that, Luke describes about this child…more than the Roman king Caesar. It is a History of God and Man. Without a doubt, Jesus is the most important figure in world history. More has been written of Him, spoken of Him, and considered of Him than of any other major character in all of recorded history. It has been said, in fact, that history is His story.
Today Christmas has become so commercialized it has lost its true meaning, so much of Christmas has been hijacked by popular cultural and transformed into something it was never meant to be. But it will be more realistic only when we understand the real meaning and significance of Christmas. Historically, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Theologically, Christmas is the celebration of the incarnation of God in Jesus. Traditionally Christmas a time of wonder and joy, of generosity and peace that brings family and friends together in celebration and we observe the holy traditions that make the season captivating. Usually we are so preoccupied with the celebration that we sometimes forget the celebrant. Christ is the center of Christmas and He is the reason for the season.
The Christmas story begin nearly two thousand years ago there was born in Bethlehem of Judea, a babe whose life was destined to affect countless millions. That babe was Jesus Christ. The people among whom he was born were poor and despised, having been conquered by the Roman power. In the heart of every man was a cry for deliverance. Jesus’ first coming wasn’t exactly what the Jews expected. He was born into the most humble circumstances imaginable. It wasn’t what they were expecting, because they were expecting a king. They were expecting a king who would come in all His glory and splendor. He didn’t come that way the first time, because God’s plan was for Him to come as a suffering servant. His plan was for Jesus to provide the only perfect sacrifice by willingly offering Himself on the cross of Calvary. But that wasn’t where it ended because after three days He resurrected from the tomb. And He lives today. Jesus was resurrected that we might be resurrected. Because He lives, we have the hope that though we were dead in our trespasses and sins, we might be made to live again—victoriously and eternally. And we also have the hope that one day Jesus will return for us.
The modern English word Christmas comes from the Old English Christes Maesse (Christ Mass), the name of the service of Holy Communion that commemorates Christ's life. The earliest records mention a feast held in the Church at Alexandria, Egypt, around AD 200, to honor the Nativity. Ancient Romans also commemorated Jesus' birth by marking a division of the calendar still in use today. The years before Jesus' birth are marked as B.C. (Before Christ), and the years after Jesus' birth are marked A.D. (Anno Domini, which means, in the year of our Lord). By the end of the fourth century, almost all Christian churches had accepted the celebration. For many people around the world, Christmas is the high point of the Advent season, which honors the birth of the Son of God. It is a joyous time for many as they give thanks to God for His infinite love and mercy.
Christmas literally means the Mass (celebration) of Christ. "Christ" is a Greek word and title, meaning "anointed" or one set apart by God for a special purpose. "Christ" is equivalent to the Hebrew word "Messiah" Based on the words of ancient prophets, the first century Jewish people expected the arrival of the Messiah promised by God as a great savior of the people. Jesus also described His birth on earth as the most important "Good News," signifying that God Himself chose to come from heaven to earth to help make earth more like heaven. God became one of us in order to die for us and save us from sin, death, and the power of the devil. A mystery this profound can't be contemplated in just one day. This is why the church pauses during Advent to prepare for the Lord's coming.
The meaning of Christmas
Most of the traditional customs of Christmas, such as gift giving, tree decorating, light hanging, Santa Claus and feasting, come from diverse sources. Some see it as the greatest business time of the year which is fueled by the exchange of gifts? Others consider it the time to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many attend church services on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning, and later gather for Christmas dinner with extended family. However Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history. This is why Christmas is called the incarnation, a word which means “in the flesh.” In the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh.
It is vital to remember that the existence of the son of God did not commence with His birth in Bethlehem. John says that He existed “in the beginning” before anything was created.(John 1:1-3). When did the earthly life of Jesus Christ really begin? John 1:14 tells us that “the Word (referring to Jesus Christ) became flesh and lived among us.” That takes us back before Bethlehem to the conception of Jesus in Mary’s womb. Christmas began not in Bethlehem but nine months earlier when the Holy Spirit overshadowed Mary and implanted within her the divine-human Person of the Lord Jesus Christ (Luke 1:35). God spent his first nine months on earth as a preborn baby fully alive, fully human, Fully God. That is why the church creeds affirm that Jesus was “conceived of the Holy Spirit.” He didn’t become the God-man at Bethlehem. He was God incarnate from the moment of conception.
Friends; Christmas trees, Santa Claus, decorations, exchanging gifts, and the many other seasonal traditions that most of us observe are wonderful ways for family and friends to mark this time of year. What we must all take care to remember is that these customs, enjoyable as they are, ultimately have nothing to do with the true meaning of Christmas. The true meaning of Christmas -- the "reason for the season" -- is found only in the message of the gospel. Here it is, so beautifully summarized in John gospel 3:16: "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life".
The true meaning of Christmas is God’s love. The real Christmas story is the story of God becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. Bible says “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
The miracle of Christmas
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.” - (Luke 1:35)
For some, Christmas is the time to think of Jesus Christ as a baby in a manger. While the birth of Christ is a special and miraculous event, it isn't the primary focus. The central truth of the Christmas story is this: the Child of Christmas is God in a Manger. Christmas is not about the Savior's infancy; it is about His deity. The humble birth of Jesus Christ was never intended to conceal the reality that God was being born into the world. Unlike any other baby, the one born that night in Bethlehem was unique in all of history. He was not created by a human father. He had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). He is God, the Son—Creator of the Universe (Philippians 2:5-11). This is why Christmas is called the incarnation of God in Jesus, as God’s greatest gift to the mankind, opening the door to new hope and eternal life to all. Incarnation, means the birth of Jesus, the eternal, all-powerful and all-knowing Creator came to earth in the flesh.
If Jesus had not been born of a Virgin, then He would have been a mere man with no ability to atone for our sins. If there was no Virgin Birth, then there was no sinless Christ. If there was no sinless Christ, then there was no atonement. If there was no atonement, then there is no forgiveness. If there is no forgiveness, then there is no salvation. If you take away the Virgin Birth, you lose everything. Therefore Angel’s announcement to Mary introduced the pivotal point in redemptive history. How people respond to the Child whom God spoke of will determine their eternal destinies.
Of all the miracles recorded in the Bible, perhaps the greatest is the incarnation, the coming of God the Son into human flesh. When we speak of “the virgin birth,” we simply mean that Jesus Christ was conceived of the Holy Spirit and born of his mother Mary, without the agency of a human father. And while we speak of Jesus as “virgin born,” the actual miracle was not in His birth, but in the conception. The angel said to Joseph, “that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.”There are three reasons why we must willingly accept the teaching that Jesus was virgin born: First reason is that the Bible affirms the doctrine and the second is unique nature and Proper understanding of the person of Christ. Third is Christ substitutionary work on the Cross. Bible affirms that "The Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold! A virgin will be with child and will bear a son, and she shall call his name “God with us”" (Matt 1:18-25, Luke 2:1-7, Isa 7:14).Matthew and Luke tell story of Christ's birth as fact. Millions of people believe it around the world, in every generation throughout the Christian age. Matthew is clear that Joseph kept Mary a virgin until she gave birth to Jesus (Matt 1:24-25). Nothing less than that fact makes the birth of Jesus a sign, and Jesus the unique son of God in whom we should believe (John 3:16).
In His humanity, He grew weary and became hungry and wept. Yet He manifested His deity by forgiving sin, raising the dead, controlling nature, and accepting worship from others. The fact that Jesus was both God and man cannot be logically maintained without believing the virgin birth. In order that Jesus could die a substitutionary death, and thus become the Saviour of sinners, He had to offer up an absolutely sinless life. Even the slightest taint of sin would have disqualified Him from being our Substitute. If He had been born a sinner, He himself would have deserved the divine wrath. It was therefore necessary for Him to enter the world in such a way that He would not possess inherited depravity. This was accomplished through the virgin birth.
The history of this world needs a divine intervention. Here is the importance of Christmas! God incarnates means; he is “taking flesh” in to the history of me and you. He is becoming an “experiencing reality”. Not like in the Old times…He comes not to show his might and power, but to save me and you; to save all of us. He comes not with law and sword or with his soldiers. He comes with love and redemption and his message is love, peace, joy and salvation. Christmas is a call to recognize our Stories, our history. Then our history is not a mere earthly history. It is blessed by the incarnated God. He is Emmanuel, the God who is with us. Christmas is a call to connect our story with “His” Story. Jesus Christ can transform our stories of unhappiness to a blessed one. He can transform our Families to a place of happiness and Peace. He can transform our Nation to places of brotherly love and joy. Christmas is accurately this call to get transformed. It is not something that happens externally. But it should happen in the spirit and faith; in thoughts and deeds. As “the Word was made Flesh”… Then it is Christmas…a real “to be with God”…
The Message of Christmas
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”(Luke 2:8-14)
CHRISTMAS IS A MESSAGE OF GOOD TIDINGS; A MESSAGE OF GREAT JOY; A MESSAGE OF GREAT LOVE; and the message of everlasting peace and salvation, Yet for many, Christmas is a season to survive and do not celebrate the seasons as it was intended to be remembered, commemorating the birth of Christ. He is the reason and the center of the celebration. Some four hundred years ago, Martin Luther wrote the following words. Luther’s words are a key to Christmas. He wrote: “Of what benefit would it be to me if Jesus would have been born a thousand times and it would have been sung daily in my ears that Jesus Christ was born, but that I was never to hear that Jesus Christ was born for me?” That Jesus was to be my very own. True message of Christmas is found in Luke’s Gospel, chapter two, ten to fourteenth verse. “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
The true message of Christmas is that Eternal God came to earth in the form of man in order to save His own creation. After hearing the message of the angels on the hills outside Bethlehem the shepherds responded; “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” The Christmas message is discovering God with us and in Jesus’ life we see God’s love and desire for justice and peace. The Blessings of Christmas is to be found in the very presence of God in our personal life. This is Good news and it must be shared. Christmas should draw us together to tell the world’s greatest story once again, and share true fellowship. The joy of Christmas is to be found in a spirit of rejoicing in the Lord. Helen Keller rightly said “The only real blind person at Christmas-time is he who has not Christmas in his heart.”
Jesus Christ is No more newborn, meek and mild, baby in a manger; now He is the King Jesus who reigns, who rules the world with truth and makes the nations prove the glories of his righteousness, authenticating his words: promises like this one: "The Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him." (Matthew 25:31) The promises Jesus made to come again sparkle throughout the gospels. We can be sure he will keep those promises.
The Bible is quite descriptive and clear on how Jesus will come again. One out of every 30 verses speaks about his second coming- -that's over 2,000 times the Bible refers to his return. Together these verses give a dazzling picture of his second coming. All the prophets, apostles and Bible writers agree that Jesus will come with all his splendor, in majestic glory, surrounded by all the angels from heaven! What a day that will be! Friends and families will be reunited at the resurrection. Little Children who have been snatched away by death will be place in their mother's arms. The lame will walk. The blind will see. The tired and weary will be charged with the vigor of eternal, perfect youth, and all those who have followed Jesus and longed to be with him will see him face to face! It will be the best of times for those who experience the fulfillment of “that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13). It will be a time of “exceeding joy” to those who have suffered for their faith when Christ’s glory is revealed (I Peter 4:13). It will be a long-anticipated time as well as a time of great surprise. For those who have faithfully prayed “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” (Luke 11:2)
Our Lord Jesus said: “Surely I am coming quickly” (Rev. 22:20). Friend, to be ready for the second coming of Jesus is the most important thing in all your life. There is nothing on this earth that can even faintly compare with this glorious hope, the second coming of Jesus. His second coming will usher in an age when a deep and abiding faith in his coming again will purify and uplift you. No wonder it is worth every effort to be ready for that day. Will you be among the joyous welcoming group, singing “Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King, “
Merry Christmas!!!!
