The Importance of Jesus Birth
The Bible says much about the birth of Jesus. Matthew 1 and 2 contain 48 verses. Luke 1 and 2 contain 94 verses to record certain facts in connection with the birth of Jesus, our Savior.
This week the birth of Jesus is celebrated by many in the religious world with great pomp, celebration, and festivities. Pews often empty will be full. People will inconvenience themselves to attend various services.
Rather than condemning those who honor the day, we might express the following: (1) It demonstrates the truth of the Bible teaching—Jesus the Savior has been born. (2) The season results in a change in attitudes of kindness, thankfulness, and greetings to others—these show that the principles of Jesus work. Consider with me a few reasons for “The Importance of Jesus’ Birth.”
The Word Became Flesh and Dwelt Among Us. The Gospel of John begins with: “In the beginning was the Word [Christ], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. . . . And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (1:1-2, 14). The question is WHY? It is not that He condescended to a human form to show that He had the power to perform such a feat. God has never done anything in man’s life simply to display His power. God’s actions always have redemptive purposes within. The arrival of Jesus in human form was a vital phase of God’s over-all redemptive program. Too often man becomes so entranced with the novelty of the story of the birth of Christ that he often fails to see His birth in its proper perspective. The proper perspective is that it serves as the summit of God working out His redemptive purpose. A side benefit of this time of the year is that in a world stricken with so much strife, there is a peaceful interlude among most men.
The Birth of Jesus Reveals the True Nature of God. We are told, “He [Jesus] declared Him [God the Father]” (John 1:18). In the birth of Jesus we have God revealed in a more perfect and glorious manner than any previous revelation. “Declared” means that Jesus revealed completely the Father. Jesus is the Divine Interpreter of God the Father. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father before He ascended to Heaven, Jesus said: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” (John 14:9). Paul states that Jesus is “the express image of His [God the Father] person” (Hebrews 1:3). God the Father is invisible, but Jesus was visible. The birth of Jesus and His ensuing life make it possible for all to know what God is like. Study the life of Jesus to know God.
The Birth of Jesus Reveals to Us the Grace of God. John writes: “[O]f His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. . . . Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17). We define grace as “unmerited favor” and it is a proper way to define grace; however, the definition has to be explained or it is ambiguous to some. Jesus in revealing God’s grace reveals God the Father as full of tenderness, gentleness, compassion, and is attractive to want people to draw close to Him. He who obeys the Gospel and lives a life committed to God by surrendering all to Jesus has direct access to God. “For through Him we both [Jew and Gentile] have access by one Spirit to the Father” (Ephesians 2:18). Jesus gives us access to the very throne of God. “Let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).
The Birth of Jesus Reveals to Us the Truth of God. Grace without truth would be sentimental, sinful, and impure, but grace based upon truth makes that love pure and holy. The truth embodies everything that is right. Truth is against everything that is wrong or false. God being full of grace does not mean that God overlooks sin, nor must we. Jesus in revealing that God is tenderhearted, longsuffering, and forgiving was also stern and uncompromising in all matters pertaining to truth and righteousness. Jesus is “truth” (John 14:6). “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth” (John 17:17). We dare not tamper with truth (Revelation 22:18-19). The birth of Jesus is very important to God’s long-range program of redemption.