Don’t overlook true reason for this season
As we prepare to celebrate Christmas with stockings and gifts and time with our families, it’s also essential to remember the reason for the season. The birth of Jesus Christ fulfilled a prophecy, a centuries-old promise from God to bless the world.
We need only to look to the Bible and the book of Luke to tell us the story of Christ’s birth and the unprejudiced love Jesus showed throughout his life which surpasses all human limits.
One of the most overwhelming themes conveyed in Luke, and with the life of Christ, is Jesus was sent to earth by God to save. He was sent to save the poor and the rich. He was sent to save adults and children, the free and the oppressed, the men and women.
When Joseph and the virgin Mary arrived in Bethlehem, Mary bore her first-born son. With this birth, God became human flesh. He is revealed in the human form. The birth of Jesus – and extension of God’s glory — was real even though His conception was divine rather than human.
As Luke tells us, Mary wrapped her baby in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn. That’s when the angel of the Lord came upon them in Luke 2:9 and said, “I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day ? which is Christ the Lord.” The angel went on to proclaim the birth was meant to bring peace on earth and good will toward men.
Mary had the honor of being the instrument of divine action. While human in that he was flesh and blood, Jesus possessed divine truth and power. In His flesh, the mind of God was expressed. All we need to know about God is conveyed through Christ.
The fact there was no room for him at the inn is symbolic of the life of Jesus. Although Christ did have his loyal followers, there was no room for him in the hearts of many who were fearful of Him and viewed Jesus as an enemy.
The devil tried to tempt Jesus, but his message was unwavering. Jesus told the devil in Luke 4:8, “Thou shalt worship the Lord, thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”
Jesus showed the power to heal a crippled man bedridden with palsy. Jesus healed by saying, “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee.” With those words, the man rose and walked away, the first of many to be healed by Christ’s divine power.
With that power, however, came animosity from others who refused to believe Christ was the almighty son of God. Jesus was betrayed by the likes of Judas and Peter, was arrested and crucified on the cruel cross at Calvary.
Even then, faced with a horrifying death upon the cross, Jesus still offered his forgiveness. He said, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.”
Jesus died for us and his resurrection on the third day of his death fulfilled the prophecy he spoke of in Galilee. As we celebrate the incarnation of our Lord this Christmas season, may we all make room for Jesus in our minds, our hearts and our souls.