To truly understand the reason for Christmas, we must take a look at what happened in the beginning.
Thousands of years ago, God began creating. From the onset of God’s creation, there were amazing displays of God’s sovereign power.
Genesis gives the account of God’s creation.
Genesis 1:1–3 NKJV In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light….
- By the ending of the first day God created and separated light and darkness.
- The display of God’s power was bringing into being all kinds of life and expressions of His glorious being.
- On the second day, God separated the heavens and the earth.
- On the third day, God separated the waters from the dry ground and called the earth to bring forth all kinds of living plants.
- On the fourth day, God created all of the lights in the heavens, the sun, moon and stars and set in motion the days, weeks, months and years.
- On the fifth day, God created all living creatures, birds of the air, cattle and every creeping thing, and beast of the earth.
On the sixth day of creation, God made man.
Genesis 1:26 NKJV Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Man was uniquely formed by God’s hands out of the dust of the ground and then God breathed the breath of life into them.
Genesis 1:27-28 NKJV So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
These words are filled with God’s authority and power to give them His assignment and mission for their life. Adam and Eve were given dominion over everything on earth. The magnitude of what God had done for them is beyond our ability to comprehend.
Genesis 1:31 NKJV Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good. So the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
When God was finished creating, everything was very good. To crown His creation, God made man in His own image and likeness. We were wonderfully made and blessed by God.
Have you ever thought what it looks like to be made in the image of God?
Mankind bore the imprint of God. We were made to be loving, kind and compassionate. We were made to be righteous, good and true. We were made strong, creative, and thoughtful. We were made to fellowship with the eternal God. God made us in such a way that our desires, passions, and nature was in align with Him. We were made for fellowship with God almighty.
There is an astonishing trend that is happening in our world.
Many people who at one time believed and served God are turning away from the Christian faith. They have found that they no longer identify as Christians and their values are no longer congruent with the Bible. It is amazing that our world is moving away from God in search of what can be found only in Him. Many are looking for meaning and purpose, hope and fulfillment that can only be found in God.
Adam and Eve bathed daily in what we thirst for.
In the morning, the sun gently kissed them awake with another perfect day. There were no storms or cloudy days. There was no cold or scorching heat. It is hard to imagine a perfect day. Peace, joy and love dominated the atmosphere and impacted them and every creature on earth. The garden was rich in every pure blossom imaginable. The scent was intoxicating. The best food was laid before them. There was nothing present that promoted decay or death. All they desired promoted health and strength to their bodies. Crystal clear waters were abundant to both drink and bathe in. All of the animals watched with amazement at the man and woman that God placed over them.
To crown their days, God Almighty came down and walked and talked with them in the cool of the day.
His presence poured life into their souls. His words wove unspeakable images in their hearts. They were known by God face to face. There were no secrets, shame, sorrows, or tears. There was no loneliness or brokenness. Their moments and days were rich with joy, peace and love. They knew nothing of sickness, distress, loss or death.
God loved them with an everlasting love.
David stood in awe of this.
In Psalms 8:3-4 he said, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?”
We live in a world that looks with awe at very little.
Think about this for a moment. Listen to the rhetoric of the masses today. Our world is filled with sounds of confusion, discord, hatred, fear, and strife. Division, war, and sorrow abound.
Consider the fact that the God of the universe has chosen humanity.
God wants you to know Him. He wants to claim you as His child and show you the depth of His love and care.
Can you even begin to understand the significance of that statement?
God wants to have fellowship with YOU! He wants to bring YOU near to His holy presence. He wants to show YOU His loving kindness and tender mercies. God wants YOU!
Why Christmas?
Adam and Eve were enjoying perfect bliss in the presence of God and in the paradise called the Garden of Eden. Everything was wonderful and exactly as God had planned until the day Satan came to Eve and Adam to tempt them to disobey God.
At that very moment when they disobeyed God and ate of the forbidden fruit, suddenly everything changed.
Suddenly they were arguing bitterly and began accusing each other. They blamed each other for their own weaknesses and sins. Suddenly they were trying to cover themselves with fig leaves. Hiding in the bushes, they were overwhelmed by guilt and shame. Suddenly, life was hard. Suddenly, there was pain. Suddenly, death began to reign.
How could they ever come back into fellowship with God?
Sin had created a barrier that was too great for them to conquer. They were helplessly lost and without hope in this world. Their choice to disobey God made an instantaneous and dramatic change in everything. Their world and relationships were immediately changed. Where love, joy and peace abounded, now there was fear, suspicion, doubt, and death. The whole world became infected and inflamed with the power of sin and death.
Why would God ever consider sending His Son into a sin darkened world?
Almighty God knew the depth of the consequences of their rebellion and sin. He had warned them that the curse and death would come. God saw the stain and pain of sin, guilt and shame. They had fallen far from Him. Their hearts and minds had become wicked. Now the whole world has become shrouded in the bitterness of sin and corruption.
When you consider the condition of things, it is hard to imagine why God would send His Son.
Why Christmas?
Why would God send His one and only Son to earth to be a Savior?
If you want to find the real reason for Christmas read John 3:16.
John 3:16-17 NKJV For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Christmas is an expression of God’s love for man.
The heart of God was grieved and wounded when Adam and Eve disobeyed. Sin always has that impact on God. God is grieved when anyone sins.
It is hard to imagine how Adam and Eve’s sin affected God.
Sin brought the curse, sickness and death. Sin brought pain and hardship. Everything on earth and in heaven felt the power of the curse of sin. All creation was suffering by their choice. Sin brought a broad division and separation between God and man.
In Genesis 3:21, God took pity on them.
Those who were made in His image and likeness were broken and soiled. They were naked and ashamed. So, God wrapped them with a covering.
Why is there a Christmas?
Human beings are still suffering with shame and weakness. The whole world is under the sway and power of sin. We constantly struggle with the consequences of our actions and deviation from God. We still needing a covering.
So, God sent His one and only Son into the world to cover us with His righteousness.
He didn’t just send Him to a manger in Bethlehem. The holy, perfect, and spotless God stepped in to take sin upon Himself so we may be set free.
Romans 5:6 NLT When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.
Romans 5:8 NKJV But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Why would God do this? Why is there a Christmas?
God never wanted Adam and Eve to sin. He warned them and gave them everything they could have desired. But, when they sinned God still loved them and provided the only remedy for sin, Jesus Christ.
Why would God send His Son into the world? Why is there a Christmas?
Let me sum it up in these words: For God so loved. God loved you. God still loves you. He is still willing to cover you with His love through the sacrifice of His Son.
Christmas is a time for us to remember the love that God has for us. You need to take this to heart today. God loves you!
God loves you so much He sent His Son…
Jesus Christ is Born
