Cyber-Discipleship

First, I will concede that no one knows the exact day or month or season of Jesus’ birth. There are things in the Bible that hint towards the time, such as the decree from Quirinius which can be dated, but beyond that the Bible is silent. I say that to say, December 25 is the date selected by early church fathers to celebrate the day of Christ’s birth. It is not likely His actual birthday.

Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25th? The History Channel provides a possible reason. It was to counter pagan celebrations and entice them to accept Christianity as a recognized Roman religion. 

Regardless as to when Jesus was born, the important thing is that He was. As Isaiah pointed out, “Unto us a child is born; unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder… (Isaiah 9:6). A ‘Child is born’ signifies His birth, his humanity. As the writer of Hebrews pointed out, “[Jesus] had to be made like His brothers in every respect, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Because He Himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. (Hebrews 2:17-18).

A ‘Son is given’ refers to His deity. Jesus was fully God as the scriptures point out: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1).” “For in Him (Jesus) dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Colossians 2:9). 

So why did Jesus come? What is significant about His birth? His birth was significant because it was the fulfillment of scripture (Genesis 3:15) where God promised that He would send someone who would avenge mankind against the devil and would redeem His people from the curse. Jesus was the promised Messiah the Jews looked for for centuries. He lived the perfect life and died a sacrificial and substitutionary death. His death was sacrificial in that the sins (disobedience) of the world were placed on Him. The Israelites of the Old Testament would transfer their sins to the animals they sacrificed during their yearly atonement ceremony. This was a foreshadowing of Jesus’ sacrificial death. Jesus was the final sacrificial Lamb. His death was substitutionary in that He died in our place. He took the punishment of wrath and spiritual death so we would not have to. “Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many (Hebrews 9:28a).”

This why Jesus made the comment in John 14:6: “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but through Me.” He is the only remedy for sin. His blood was the atonement. His death paid the price for our redemption. He was the One God the Father sent to redeem us from His wrath. When we trust in Him, His perfect, sinless life is accredited to us. Therefore, if we reject so great an offering, then we will need to pay the price of disobedience ourselves.

Jesus was born to die. Though it is true of all of us, it was certainly true of Him. His death was determined before the world was made. So, let us remember as we celebrate Christmas this December that the Babe in the manger will one day be the King on the Cross.

Share if you agree and let’s get the Gospel spread around the world!