The Real Reason for the Christmas Season

Word-Of-The-Day: ‘(1) In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (2) (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.) (3) And everyone went to their own town to register. (4) So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. (5) He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. (6) While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, (7) and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them. (8) And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. (9) An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. (10) But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. (11) Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. (12) This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (13) Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, (14) “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”’ (Luke 2:1-14)

‘(16) For 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. (17) For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.’ (John 3:16-17)

It is the Christmas weekend!  This is the time (especially since it is too late to order anything online to get delivered before Christmas on Monday) to focus on what Christmas really is.  The Christmas tree is pretty, but it is not the reason; the Christmas cookies and the Christmas lasagna/turkey/ham/porterhouse steaks are delicious, but they are not the reason.  The presents under the tree are great to receive but they are not the reason. Watching the glow of the kids opening their gifts is always touching, but that is not the reason for Christmas.

2,027 years ago – in 4 BC (the year generally provided as accurate by Biblical historians and scholars) a Child was born to a couple of ‘kids’ (today they would be high-school aged teens), who were going back to their home of record – though there was no place for them to go, except for an animal pen – a small cave that they called a manger.  There the young woman, Mary and her husband (to be) Joseph settled in – but Mary, ready to give birth, started having labor pains; her water broke soon after (nothing like a long ride on a donkey to induce labor), and soon a baby boy was born.  It is ‘her son’ – in Truth she was but the surrogate.  This baby boy is special, He is Immaculate and not of sin but of Holiness.  He has many names, one is Emmanuel; “God with us”.  His given name, the one Joseph and Mary give to Him, is Yeshua, which in English is translated to Jesus.

Many know Him as the Messiah, the one King promised to rule Israel, and the world as a whole, forever.  He is given a title, the Christ.  Jesus will grow up and do many miraculous things; He will heal, mend, feed, listen, and provide Hope in many sermons He gives to the people.  He blesses and forgives those who He just meets, though He has known them their entire lives.  Jesus loves, rebukes, and communicates to those who don’t understand Him.  Many follow Him; three are His best friends, nine others are His closest confidants (though one will betray Him).  More are His devout pupils, His disciples, who accept Him as the Messiah, their Lord sent to them from God.  A multitude simply tag along as ‘groupies’, He is their ‘flavor of the week’ to follow, getting fed and caught up in the hoopla, until that one Passover when His betrayer hands Him over to the authorities. 

His three ‘BFFs’ and His close confidants initially turn away, denying Him at first as He is put on trial.  His disciples are lost without Him, and those groupies immediately jump on a new bandwagon, screaming ‘Free Barabbas! Crucify Jesus!’ when given a choice.  Jesus is led to Golgotha, after humiliation and beatings that nearly killed Him He is then nailed to a cross and with two thieves on each side, crucified.  He is sinless and innocent of all charges, yet He dies accused of the sins He did not commit.  Jesus is laid in a tomb – sealed shut.  His life story should end there…

But it isn’t just over yet – in fact it has just begun.  On the third day Jesus arose from the tomb – alive and perfectly well.   The real Reason for the Season is revealed, Jesus is the Ultimate Sacrifice, the one who God has provided to atone for the sins of all, but only those who accept His Gift, and His Lordship, repenting of their sins and choosing to live their lives for Him.  Jesus walks with His Apostles (his three ‘BFFs’ and the eight confidants who return to Him – though one initially had doubts), and sees many of His Disciples, and perhaps even some of His former ‘groupies’ may have recognized they jumped off the bandwagon a little too soon and became Disciples as well.  He leaves 40 days after He overcomes death, and goes to prepare a place for His people.  We who have accepted God’s Gift and called Jesus our Lord, now await for Him to call us to the Home He has prepared.

That is the Reason for the Season!  Enjoy the gifts you give and receive, love the time you have with family and friends – but remember the Reason for the Season – the Gift of Salvation God gave to all the people in His Love;  the baby boy, His Son, Emmanuel– who we know as Jesus, 2,027 years ago, carried by a young teenager named Mary, who gave birth to Him in an animal pen, a manger – away from home. But, you must accept the Gift, acknowledge Jesus as the Christ, your Lord – or your Season has no Reason, no meaning or purpose except that which is not of Him, but secular in celebration. Don’t let this Season pass with no Reason – if you need to accept the Gift, ask Him and He will give it freely. If you’re unsure, please reach out to us at MBC or to a Biblical, Christ-centered church in your area – no time is better than today to receive His Gift!