CL #11: The Hidden Meaning of Christmas
Rediscover the forgotten Jesus
Christmas is my favorite holiday of the year.
Growing up, this was the only holiday we got to visit cool places, wind down and spend time with family. We’d also eat all types of meat: roasted, fried, boiled and just have fun.
And don’t forget the songs on the radio and my favorite Christmas movie: Home Alone.
(sighs in nostalgia)
We can admit that for both Christians and Non-Christians, Christmas is a big deal.
It doesn’t matter if Jesus was not born on that actual day. The fact that we celebrate it matters.
Unfortunately, we have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas
We have made Christmas about ourselves, our holidays, our spending and our families.
These are not intrinsically bad things, but I fear that we have forgotten the reason for the season.
Jesus Christ is the reason for the season.
Today, we will reflect on the passage below that records the birth of Jesus:
18 This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about[a]: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet[b] did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
20 But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
22 All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel”[d] (which means “God with us”).
24 When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25 But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
- Matthew 1 : 18 - 25
From the passage, we can learn 3 things from the birth of Christ:
Why Christ was born
How Christ was born
Where Christ was born
#1: Why Christ was Born
“…you are to give him the name Jesus,[c] because he will save his people from their sins.”
Christ was born to solve the age old problem of original sin.
Think of sin like a cancer that spread quickly among people.
Better yet, think of sin as a nature men are born with. No one teaches a toddler to lie.
God’s plan for saving humankind was in Christ being born as both a man and God so that he could be the payment of sin.
Jesus would die on behalf of all sinners, and by his death, all who believe in him would not die (eternally separated from God).
The great exchange happened where our sins were accounted to Christ and his righteousness was accounted to us.
Christ is Immanuel (God with us)
#2: How Christ was Born
First, he was born through divine conception. His birth was not through human, scientific conception but from God’s power over Mary.
Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit
This signified his divinity from the beginning and the message was reiterated to Joseph who thought that this was a natural birth:
Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Second, he was born in a Manger and not in a posh hotel room. Think of a dingy manger with some cows eating hay.
6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. 7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.
Luke 2:6-7
This signified his humility and his identity as the suffering servant. Even the lower class of his day were born in better circumstances.
The fact that there was no room for them in the inn could be a foreshadow of the rejection that Jesus would face from the Jews.
Whereas the Jewish scholars of the day expected the King to be born in pomp and deliver them from political oppression, the King was born in a manger.
#3: Where Christ was Born
In addition to being born in a manger, He was born in Bethlehem.
“Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king…”
- Matthew 2:1
According to scholars, Bethlehem’s size and location was rather insignificant at this time.
Many would have expected the king to be born in a bigger, better, town, probably the capital of the day, Jerusalem.
But Bethlehem is significant for it means, ‘House of Bread’ (beth: house, lehem:of bread). Bread was a staple food in the day necessary for nourishment and survival. It also symbolized God’s presence and provision in those days.
Christ later came to teach that He is the bread of life.
I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to Me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in Me will never be thirsty.”
- John 6:35
Bethlehem was also significant for it was the city of David. This is where also David was born and where a significant ruler would come from.
But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, being small among the clans of Judah, out of you one will come out to me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings out are from of old, from ancient times.
- Micah 5:2
Conclusion
Christmas is more than a birthday to celebrate Jesus.
It has practical implications for all of us.
Let’s remember why Christ was born: to save us from our sins. This is the greatest love story to date. Having one to die so that you can live.
As we remember Jesus in the Manger, let us remember Jesus on the Cross. Has he been born in your heart?
He was born in the most lowly form so that anyone could approach him. Including shepherds in the field. So that you can also approach him.
And lastly, we need Jesus for our growth and nourishment, for he is truly the bread of life.
Some of you may scoff and think of this as a fairy tale.
But stop and think:
If it is not true, then we have a bunch of Christians believing a lie that they are willing to die for. No consequences for non-Christians.
If it is true, then we have Christians who have been saved from their sins and have eternal life. Then the consequences for non-Christians is that they have to pay for their own sins in hell.
Unfortunately, we’ll all find out if it’s true when we die. And unfortunately they will be no second chance.
This is worth investigating dear non-Christian. What will you lose if it’s true?
Enjoy your Christmas holiday!
