What Christmas Means

Heaven erupted with great joy when the angels burst forth in praise, declaring, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” As the angels sang, they could hardly contain themselves. Christmas means more than a baby in a manger. It meant that Jesus’ life and ministry on this earth would change everything and provide the redemption that mankind so desperately needed in order to be in union with Christ.

Every year, Christians celebrate Jesus’ birth but it should mean much more than this. There are many reasons why Jesus was born.

1. He was born because of love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

2. He was born to redeem us from the curse of the law. Galatians 3:13 says, “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written , Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.”

3. He was born to reconcile man to God. Second Corinthians 5:18 says, “And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”

4. He was born to destroy the works of the devil. First John 3:8 says, “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”

5. He was born to receive eternal life for us. First John 5:11 says, “And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.”

6. He was born to restore authority to its rightful place. Matthew 28:18-19 says, “And Jesus came and spake unto them saying, All power is given unto me in Heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

When we think of the Christmas story, we shouldn’t just focus on a baby in Bethlehem lying in a manger. That child grew up and very few events from His childhood are actually recorded. In fact, the Gospel of John doesn’t deal with the physical and natural side of Jesus’ life at all. He only deals with the spiritual side. It wasn’t Jesus’ birth that saved us. It was His death and resurrection that provided redemption for us. When we think about Christmas, we should think about the gift of eternal life. We have been born again and have received His nature because of our union with Christ. That is the reason the angels were singing.