In a recent interview I shared with Dr. Alex McFarland, Director for Christian Worldview and Apologetics at North Greenville University, we discussed five facts about Christmas. A close look at these five truths reveal Christmas originated with Jesus, but is necessary for each of our lives.
Jesus came to live among us, to transform us, and to transform others through us.
1. The Need for Christmas
Why did Jesus leave the luxury of heaven to live among those he created? In short, we needed it. The Genesis account of Adam and Eve reveals humanity has fallen since beginning, leaving the need for a rescuer who can forgive us and make us right with God.
Jesus offers this connection with God through his own life. During his teaching years, Jesus communicated, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me” (John 14:6).
Christmas is needed because we are needy. Jesus is the gift that perfectly meets our need for restored relationship with our creator.
2. The Promise of Christmas
Christmas also exists because God promised to send the Messiah. This chosen one was alluded to in Genesis 3:15 where God notes the seed of the woman will bruise the head of the serpent. In other words, one of Eve’s male descendants would defeat Satan (represented through the serpent).
God also promised to “establish the throne of His kingdom forever” (2 Samuel 7:13). The coming one would not be a temporary leader or king, but would lead an eternal kingdom. Only Jesus has fulfilled this prediction.
Further, the prophet Isaiah predicted the coming one would be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14). This specially-born child would be call Immanuel, meaning “God with us.” The birth of Jesus supernaturally and perfectly fit this prediction.
3. The Details of Christmas
Many of the details in the Christmas accounts of Matthew and Luke show the amazing level of detail involved in coming of Jesus. For example, Matthew 2:19-23 speak of Jesus as being called a Nazarene because he was raised in Nazareth.
No specific Old Testament prediction said these exact words, but the concept prophetically connects with the concept of Nazareth as “the branch.” This includes Isaiah 11:1, Jeremiah 23:5, and Zechariah 3:8 where the coming one would also be the servant.
Jesus also fulfilled the detail regarding the Messiah of “dwelling” or living in Galilee. Isaiah 9:1-2, written hundreds of years earlier, notes that those in Galilee will see a great light.
Keep in mind, Isaiah was written about 700 years prior to the earthly life of Jesus. Yet his words show the great care God took in preparing for his coming through a variety of predictions revealed to the Jewish people and others who would read these words.
4. The Observance of Christmas
It is true the exact date of the birth of Jesus remains uncertain. Some have noted Emperor Constantine connecting Christmas with the observance of Saturnalia, but some Christians observed December 25 as the birth of Christ prior to this time.
However, the important focus of Christmas is not the date, but the “Advent” or coming of the Messiah. John 1:14 notes, “And the word became flesh, and dwelt among us.”
5. The Relevancy of Christmas
The hectic nature of the holidays can easily lead some people to believe Christmas is no longer important. Skeptics suggest Christmas is “fake news.” Yet Christmas remains vitally important for each of us. Acts 4:12 notes, “There is no other name under heaven by which you must be saved.”
If we can only know God through Jesus, then the coming of Jesus marks a critical time in history and in our personal lives. Without Jesus, we lack the opportunity to know and grow with our creator. Yet with Jesus, we can know the one who made us and live confident of our future with him.
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