Christmas in today’s world doesn’t seem like the Christmas that we once experienced or grew up with. Perhaps it is the time and age we live in, but it seems evident that Jesus Christ is gradually being removed from His rightful association with Christmas. Is Santa Claus a more real expression of Christmas today than Jesus is? Many in our culture today frown upon nativity scenes or the mention of Jesus in prayer. Others have questioned His deity. Even some theologians in recent years have questioned whether or not Jesus even called Himself the Son of God. The secular world will continue to be to discredit the person and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The intent is to undermine the deity of Jesus Christ and the purpose of His mission in the world. This is why it is important, at this special time of the year where we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, that we explore the true purpose of His birth and His existence here on earth. Jesus Christ’s life was a life of purpose and meaning for all who believe in Him.
The purpose of Jesus Christ was God’s promise for a savior for all of mankind. Man did not (and could not) promise this for himself. The Bible maintains throughout its text that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Its message has never changed throughout history and it will not change in the future. If God’s Word is truth, then God does not lie; therefore, His promises will be fulfilled. God is not man, and he is not a liar (Numbers 23:19; Romans 3:4); He keeps his promises, and He promised that a savior, Jesus Christ, would be brought forth, and describes how He would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:23). He had this plan in place even before the fall of man (Titus 1:2-3). “But when the completion of the time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4).” God promises throughout Scripture that He would be with us, and He is with us (Immanuel, or God with us). Today’s culture wants to be free from God’s presence.
God describes Jesus before He comes at His appointed time as His Son, and, in addition, God asserts His place and His position of authority, namely His deity. “For a child will be born for us, a son will be given to us, and the government will be on His shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The dominion will be vast, and its prosperity will never end. He will reign on the throne of God and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from now on and forever. The zeal of the Lord of Hosts will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7).” He is the God who is the God Almighty (Revelation 11:15-17) who cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). He declares that He is the Everlasting Father who responds to anyone who is in His will (John 10:30, 14:19). Jesus presented His message of truth and His authority as He was introduced in the Old Testament. He is the Prince of Peace (John 16:27, 33; Ephesians 2:14; Colossians 1:20; Revelation 1:4).
God presented Jesus to be the sacrificial Lamb of God (John 1:36). The Old Testament sacrificial system was set up to point to Jesus. The life of Jesus Christ is significant in that His purpose would establish God’s justice when it comes to sin. The Old Testament sacrifices would cover man’s sin through the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22), but the blood of animals and sacrifices could not take away sin (Hebrews 10:4), and sin was left unpunished (Romans 3:23-24). God’s justice regarding sin was served in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He was our sacrifice of atonement for our sins. Only by Jesus Christ’s coming with His death on the cross, our redemption through His sacrifice had taken place for past, present, and future. “When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, ‘It is finished!’ Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit (John 19:30).” God’s justice was completed through the presence of Jesus Christ as our Lamb of God, who was foretold by God’s Word from the very beginning (John 1:35).
With this, we can better understand that God had a purpose for all of us in the presence of Jesus Christ. Christmas is a time of gift-giving, but God’s greatest gift for us is Jesus Christ. Let us remember that He is the reason we celebrate Christmas. Make it a point to learn more about Christ and the eternal value in having a relationship with Him as your Lord and Savior.
On behalf of everyone at Akron Alliance Fellowship Church, we wish you and yours a joyous Christmas!
Akron Alliance Fellowship 