Although nobody knows the specific date when Jesus Christ was born, the first official Christmas celebrations were held in Rome on December 25th, 336, during the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great. Over the centuries, holiday traditions from numerous cultures have been combined and established to help us celebrate this holiday. The Christmas season celebrations have indeed been woven into the fabric of our Canadian society.
Whatever Christmas cultural family traditions you have embraced, at its core, Christmas has always been the celebration and remembrance of the birth of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that the world is morally bankrupt and broken and that it remains in this state because of humanity’s rebellion against God. Spiritual death came to all human beings through this rebellion because all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. The Bible says that there are everlasting consequences to our sins. The Bible explains that sin not only results in death here in our physical state, but also that without salvation, there is spiritual death and separation from God in hell in the eternal afterlife.
Humanity is lost and in desperate need of a Saviour…a Christ… a Messiah to rescue us from the penalty of sin. This is where the good news of Christmas comes in. God loved the people of this world so much that He did not abandon sinners like you and I to the consequences of our rebellion. God formulated a plan of salvation for the world, at great cost to Himself.
Over 2,700 years ago, ancient Old Testament Bible prophecies predicted that God the Son would step out of his heavenly realm and be born as a human child through a virgin to become God the Father’s ultimate gift of salvation. This child would grow up to be a sinless man, teach us about life, and then give his life as a sacrificial exchange for the lives of all who would place trust in Him. Isaiah 9:6-7 foretold the coming saviour, saying, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Just over 700 years after the prophecies of the Saviour were given, the angel Gabriel appeared to a young lady named Mary and told her “Do not be afraid Mary, you have found favour 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.” Mary miraculously conceived the Messiah who was actually God in the flesh. Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem on the very first Christmas morning, just as had been predicted by the ancient prophets.
Humanity was lost in sin, but God in his love made a way for us to be saved. The Good News is whoever truly believes in Jesus, will be forgiven by God, saved from death, and granted the gift of eternal life. For our sake God made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. Salvation and eternal life are found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. God’s gift to us in Jesus Christ is the reason why we celebrate his birthday at this time of the year.
Christmas Blessings to everyone in Jesus’ Name!
Pastor Clint Lange
Hillside Community Church of 100 Mile
