The True Meaning of Christmas
About 6 months after Elizabeth became pregnant, the angel Gabriel, the same angel who was sent to Elizabeth’s husband Zechariah to deliver the news about their son, came to Nazareth to deliver some shocking news to a girl named Mary. Mary was a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, who was of the lineage of king David, and Nazareth was likely a small nothing of a town since we know that one of the future disciples said, “Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46)
Even so, this was the place, and these where the people that God intended to use. While Elizabeth was carrying her son, who would be known as John the Baptist, Gabriel was sent to Mary to deliver another message. When Mary saw the angel Gabriel she was confused because he said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” (Luke 1:28)
Mary obviously wasn’t expecting this, but God had this all planned out long before it happened, and we know this because of what He said to the prophet Jeremiah, “Before I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. formed you in the womb ” (Jeremiah 1:5)
When Mary showed her confusion Gabriel said, “Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” (Luke 1:30-33)
Since Mary was yet a virgin, she asked how this could happen, and Gabriel answered; “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.” (Luke 1:35-37)
Indeed, nothing is impossible for God. The Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah where about to come to pass as Mary showed her obedience to God; “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38) There were no more questions, no arguing, no excuses, just trust and obedience in the One who would accomplish His plan of salvation.
Soon animal sacrifices would no longer be required, and people everywhere would be free from sin and death. The Messiah was coming, and He would offer hope, peace, love, joy, freedom, rest, mercy, forgiveness, and grace for all people of every nation. Mary accepted God’s plan. She would be the mother of Jesus the Christ (Messiah), who would humbly come to earth in the flesh, in the form of a man. He is not restrained by time, He is from everlasting to everlasting, and He left His rightful place on the throne in heaven to come down and do the only thing that would bridge the gap between man and his God. He is the mediator between man and God. He is our Defender, our Savior, our King, and nothing is impossible for Him.
Even before He formed you in the womb He knew you, and He loved you. That’s why He came here over 2,000 years ago in the flesh. He also submitted to God’s salvation plan. He taught us how to live, He taught us how to love, and He gave up His own life as a sacrifice to God, to pay the penalty of sin for all mankind, past, present, and future. We are now free from sin and death through faith in Jesus Christ. He did the work, and now all we can do is live our lives in Him, “for in Him we live and move and have our being.” (Acts 17:28)
Christmas is more than presents, and snow, and reindeer, and santa claus. Christmas is knowing that the God of the universe came here for you, and that you can know Him. Christmas is about love, compassion, and relationships, and just like we can all have a relationship with each other, we can also have a relationship with Jesus Christ, who knew us before we were formed, who loved us, and gave Himself for us.
May you and yours have a blessed Christmas, and may you know Him more and allow Him to make you into the man/woman He created you to be.
Dave Earley
Bible Study Forum
Faith Like A Mustard Seed