Christmas — A Savior
Before the foundations of the earth were laid, God Almighty in infinite wisdom chose and destined a Savior Who would be provided in the last days. Long before He stooped down to form man from the clay of the earth, God provided the grace and mercy that would be necessary to supply a Savior. This began to be known immediately after Adam and Eve sinned and fell from the grace and glory they had enjoyed. Watch this as the Book of Genesis gives the account of amazing displays of God’s sovereign power and determined will.
Genesis 1:1–2 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.
Genesis 1:3 NKJV 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 brought into being every kind of life and expression 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.”
After man was uniquely formed by God’s hands out of the dust of the ground, God breathed the breath of life into them.
Genesis 1:27 NKJV So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
Genesis 1:28 NKJV 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 the authority and power of Almighty God to give them His assignment and mission for 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. They were wonderfully made and blessed by God.
Have you ever considered what it looks like to be made in the image and likeness 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 and holy God. God made us in such a way that our desires, passions, and nature would align with His. We were made for fellowship with God almighty.
Adam and Eve were soaked daily in what we hunger and 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 of Eden was rich with every pure blossom imaginable. The scent was intoxicating and the food contained nothing that would hurt or destroy. Nothing was present that promoted decay or death. Everything they desired promoted health and strength to their bodies. Crystal clear waters were abundant to both drink and bathe in. Every animal 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?
At that moment in time it appeared to be unnecessary for man to need a Savior. It is difficult to imagine a man and woman being able to stand in the presence of the unveiled glory of God. The God of the universe chose them and wanted to fellowship with them.
Can you even begin to understand the significance of the fact that 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!
Something dramatic and totally devastating happened 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 and full of pain and disappointment. Suddenly, death began to reign.
How could they ever come back into fellowship with God?
Sin 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, guilt, shame and pain of sin. Instantly, they had fallen far from Him. Their hearts and minds had become wicked. Now the whole world became 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 would God send His one and only Son to earth to be a Savior?
John 3:16 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.
John 3:17 NKJV For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Christ’s birth 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 is suffering by their choice. Sin brought a broad division and separation between God and man.
In Genesis 3:21, God took pity on the man and the woman.
Although they had been made in His image and likeness, they were broken and soiled, naked and ashamed. So, God wrapped them with a covering. All humanity and creation is 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?
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?
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!
