The Real Meaning of Christmas
Posted on August 3, 2017 by admin No comments
The historic record of the birth of Christ can be found in Matthew 1:18-25 and Luke 2:1-20.
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 and mother. He had a heavenly pre-existence (John 1:1-3, 14). He was God, the Creator of the universe. 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.
Why would God do such a thing? Why would he come as a baby, instead of appearing in power and majesty? Why make himself a true man and live among us, when he knew full well how terribly he would be treated?
It was LOVE! It was necessary, if you are to be saved!
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the Creator of the cosmos (John 1:1-3). As God, he is all-powerful and all-knowing. Yet, so great was his love for us, his creations, that he humbled Himself greatly for our sake (Phil. 2:8). This was first seen by man at the birth of Jesus (Gal. 4:4; Luke 2:7; John 1:46; Heb. 2:9). He did not come as a powerful king or a superman; he came as a baby dependent on others for his physical care.
It continued in…
…his purpose (He came to Earth to be a sacrificial lamb to pay for our sins.) (John 1:29)
…his humble circumstances throughout his life – virtually no possessions, no physical wealth, often dependent on others for food, drink and clothing
…the way people perceived him (Isa. 53; Matt. 26:59, 67; Ps. 22:6; Matt. 26:68)
…his soul (Ps. 22:1; Matt. 4:1-11; Luke 22:44; Heb. 2:17,18; 4:15)
…his death (Luke 23; John 19; Mark 15:24,25)
…his burial in a borrowed tomb (Isa. 53:9; Matt. 27:57,58,60)
His humiliation was voluntary, and was necessary to…
…execute the purpose of God (Acts 2:23,24; Ps. 40:6-8)
…fulfill the Old Testament types and prophecies
…satisfy the law, paying for the guilty (Isa. 53; Heb. 9:12,15), and obtaining for them eternal redemption
…show us an example of how to live
Watch this exciting NEW on-line video which clearly explains how Jesus Christ was born and why — starting at the very beginning, at the dawn of Creation…
Have you accepted the MOST PRECIOUS GIFT anyone could ever give you?
What does God’s gift mean to you?
God, the Creator and Giver of Life does care about each of us.
But, God is Holy and must be approached on His terms. He wants you to worship Him as the only God in your life. Just as the first people, Adam and Eve failed to trust God, so all of us have sinned by trying to run our own lives without God.
The Bible says that even if you obey all of God’s laws but one, you are a lawbreaker and a guilty sinner before Him. So, no matter how religious you might be, or how many good deeds you may have done, you can never measure up to God’s holiness. You are lost and separated from God.
But God understands your helplessness. and He loves you so much that He arranged to have His Son take your punishment and die for your sins. The Bible says, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
SALVATION IS A GIFT. It can’t be worked for, so no one can boast about earning it.
In the Bible, John chapter 3, Jesus told a religious leader, Nicodemus, that he must be born again to have eternal life; so you too must be born spiritually into God’s family. That is why you need to invite Jesus to come into your life and to forgive you of your sin.
Become a child of God and have Jesus as your Savior.
Confess your sins to God and determine to forsake them. Thank Him for allowing Jesus to take the punishment for your sin by dying on the cross. Ask Jesus to come into your life, to be your Savior and the Lord of your life. Accept His free gift of salvation and thank God for it. Do everything that you can to become a true and strong follower of Jesus Christ.
There are no particular words that you must say to become a child of God, no specific prayer. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.” But, if you would like to talk to God right now and are not sure what to say, here are some suggestions…
PRAYER
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I know I deserve eternal judgment, but I thank You for Your mercy and grace. I ask You to forgive my sins and give me eternal life. Wash me clean and give me a new heart. Right now, I place my faith and trust in Your Son Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior, and I give You my life.
Lord Jesus, I believe that You are God’s only Son, that You died on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins and rose again on the third day. Having trusted You as my Lord and Savior, I know that when I die, I will spend eternity with You in Heaven.
Thank You for dying on the cross to pay for my sins. Thank You for Your forgiveness and for the gift of eternal life. I humbly submit myself to Your will in every area of my life, and I ask You to make me into the person You want me to be. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and guide me through Your Word. Help me to trust You daily for all my needs and to rely on Your Holy Spirit to lead me as I seek to live in obedience to You.
I ask you to convict me of whatever sin is in my life, that I might confess it to You as it comes to mind each day, knowing that You have already forgiven me, and that You will never leave me or forsake me. From this day forward, I will live with the peace and assurance that I am Your child. I renounce the works of Satan, and I desire to walk in the light as You are in the light. Give me wisdom and discernment that I may know good from evil, and help me to follow after You with all my heart all the days of my life. I am Your servant, and I accept You are my Master. Make my life a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable unto You.
Right now, Lord, I pray that You will show me Your will. Help me to grow in my faith. Lead me to others who can help me to grow, and lead me to a church where I can be taught in Your Word. Show me how my life can be a blessing to others, and give me the courage to tell others about Your saving grace. I ask You Lord that my entire family will come to know You as Lord and Savior. I pray that Your Holy Spirit will convict their hearts and draw them unto You, and that You will remove the blinders of Satan from their eyes. Give me the words to speak as I share with them how I came to know You and how they too can begin a personal relationship with You and spend forever in Your presence. Help me to live the life You have called me to, and to be a holy example for all the world to see, that they too may believe.
Heavenly Father, I love You! Thank You for saving me and receiving me as Your child. Lord Jesus, I love you! Thank You for dying on the cross to pay for my sins and for giving me eternal life. Holy Spirit, I love You! Thank You for showing me my need for a Savior and for Your indwelling presence in my life. Amen.”
If you have repented of your sins, accepted Christ’s gift of salvation through his punishment for your sins, and have decided to become a follower of Jesus, then by God’s grace you have been saved from eternal punishment. The angels are rejoicing. You will one day live with your Creator in paradise!
Now, begin following God’s commands and grow as a follower of Jesus Christ.