Christmas is the most theological time of the year. It’s the time when the second member of the Trinity, God the Son, came into this world and took upon Himself humanity (John 1:1, 14). At a moment in time, in the womb of the virgin Mary, by a supernatural act of God the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:35), the hypostatic union was formed, and Jesus became the theanthropic Person, the God-Man, undiminished deity combined together forever with perfect and sinless humanity (Col 2:9; Heb 1:8). The birth of Messiah accomplished the plan of God the Father from eternity past, as He was the One who planned our salvation and sent the Son into the World (1 John 4:14). Jesus was born at the right time (Gal 4:4), in the womb of a Jewish virgin girl (Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23), in the royal line of David (2 Sam 7:14-16; Luke 1:31-35), in the prophesied city of Bethlehem (Mic 5:2), a Son of Abraham (Matt 1:1), King of the Jews (Matt 2:2), God with us (Isa 9:6).
But the story of Messiah does not stop there. After His birth, Jesus grew in wisdom (Luke 2:40, 52), lived a sinless and righteous life before God and man (2 Cor 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1 John 3:5), and was sustained by God the Holy Spirit throughout His life and during His time on the cross (Matt 3:16; Heb 9:14). When we think about the birth of Jesus, we should see it within the larger theological context of Scripture, which reveals His righteous life, compassion for the lost, substitutionary death on the cross, burial, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. The death of Jesus is really the major focus of the Bible, as only two chapters mention His birth, whereas thirty-eight chapters mention His death.
Christmas is about love and sacrifice, for nearly two thousand years ago, Jesus willingly laid down His life and died a penal substitutionary atoning death on a cross (Mark 10:45; John 3:16; 10:11, 17-18). He died for us (Rom 5:8), paying the penalty for our sins (1 Cor 15:3-4), in our place, “the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet 3:18). Jesus’ death forever satisfied every righteous demand God had toward our sin (Rom 3:24-25; Heb 10:10-14; 1 John 2:2; 4:10), and is the basis for forgiveness (Acts 10:43; Eph 1:7), reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18), and peace with God (Rom 5:1). To those who believe in Christ as their Savior (John 3:16; Acts 4:12) and accept the good news—that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor 15:3-4)—God freely gives eternal life (John 10:28) and the gift of righteousness (Rom 5:17; 2 Cor 5:21; Phil 3:9).
Furthermore, Christmas is about a future hope. After His crucifixion, Jesus was buried and resurrected bodily on the third day (Matt 20:18-19; Acts 10:39-41; 1 Cor 15:3-4), never to die again (Rom 5:9), ascending to heaven (Acts 1:9-10), with a promise of a physical return for His own (John 14:1-3; Acts 1:11; 1 Th 4:13-18; Tit 2:13). Following His return, the King of kings and Lord of lords will reign in righteousness for a thousand years (Rev 19:11-16; 20:1-6), and afterward, will create a “new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells” (2 Pet 3:13; cf. Rev 21:1).
As we think about the reasons for celebrating Christmas—past present, and future—let us also consider how to live a life that models the One we worship. Like Jesus, may we be willing to accept the Father’s will for us to go where He wants and do what He asks, no matter how difficult the task or great the price. And, may our hearts be motivated by love for others as we give sacrificially for their edification. Lastly, may we learn to keep our eyes on heaven, in anticipation of the return of Messiah, and the future hope that is ours in Christ.
Dr. Steven R. Cook
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