It’s easy for us to forget why we celebrate Christmas. It’s also easy for us to get caught up in the giving of gifts and forget why we give those gifts. It’s easy for us to forget why we all gather and what leads us to gather. Sure, we could just mail gifts, or a card, or send money to a Cashapp, and just be done with it all. But why do we all make long drives to be in each other’s presence. Most of us don’t just decide to drive out to Mike’s place for no reason. So, what is it that gives us the desire and the motivation to make the trip this time of year.
I believe that something spiritually motivates us. I believe that even though many of us would normally steer clear of big gatherings and don’t usually enjoy big functions, there is something about Christmas that gives us a desire to see each other, to share laughs, food, gifts, and memories. Here’s why;
Why Jesus?
When God saw that his creation of man would sin against his laws, he would offer correction. He flooded the earth, he left them lost in the wilderness, he let them be enslaved, sometimes he would require them to sacrifice a lamb as a life given for the price of sin, and so on. Each time he tried to correct their sin; they would eventually sin again. God’s creation were sinners and no matter what God offered them, they would eventually sin again.
So, God decided to send his son. His son, whom he loved, would be given earthly life to live, to preach his words, to live a perfect and sinless life and then be sacrificed as the lamb for the sins of man. This would be the ultimate wage for sin, where God would allow his own son to be enslaved, beaten, disfigured, and eventually killed, all to pay for our sins. This would be a new contract, a covenant, between God and man. Whereas our sins have now been prepaid. We are no longer expected to lead sinless lives. But, in order to be saved of our sins, we must do the following. Accept the fact that Jesus was born for our sins. Believe with your whole heart that Jesus was born, suffered for us and died for our sins, and then was resurrected to cheat death of its ultimate victory. Apologize, repent for our sins and ask for salvation. Live your life, love with your heart, praise God for your victories and lay your failures at his feet as well.
Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel. In case you’re wondering why this name? Immanuel translates to God is With Us
Micha 5:2
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
from ancient times.”
Isaiah 9:6-7
6For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the greatness of his government and peace
there will be no end.
He will reign on David’s throne
and over his kingdom,
establishing and upholding it
with justice and righteousness
from that time on and forever.
The zeal of the Lord Almighty
will accomplish this.
Faith in Prophesy
To the East, there were 3 men of high regard. They were called Magi. Their names were Gaspar from Sheba, Melchior from Arabia, and Balthazar from Tarsus. Some of you that have done some reading might also recognize the town of Tarsus as the home of the Apostle Paul, who is also just a child at this time in history. They were scientists and astronomers. During these times, science and astronomy went hand in hand, and scientists believed that the stars held secrets and messages. One of these messages was the belief that a new star in the sky meant a new king was born.
Having see a new star in the sky, shining brighter than any other, the Magi recalled the prophesies about the coming of a Messiah. They set out to Jerusalem and ended up in the court of King Herod. There Herod asked them to go and find this new King. Secretly, Herod had plans of killing this new king. The 3 Magi set out towards Bethlehem to the south. They travelled at night, under a brightly lit sky by the biggest and brightest star ever seen in the night.
When they came to this small village of Bethlehem, they found the newly born infant. Born of a virgin and named Immanuel, just as ancient prophesy foretold. These 3 old wise men, travelled afar on faith. They travelled across nations, during the cold Fall months, using the new star to guide them. They believed the prophesy, and when the sign was given, they set out to meet the new King. Along with them, they brought gifts.
Gold – Gold was associated with royalty. A measure of wealth was the amount of gold a King has. They would adorn themselves and their belongings with it. A gift of gold was held in high regard.
Frankincense – Was an incense that was mainly used during prayer, or by priests. Giving this to the new King was a sort of welcoming into his new priesthood.
Myrrh – Myrrh was commonly used as an anointing oil during burials. It had a good scent and was used to mask odors, and well as serve as a ceremonial oil when preparing the dead. It is said that Mary used this same oil some 33 years later, when preparing the body of Jesus for his entombing.
Modern Christmas
Modern Christmas leads us all to gather together. We give gifts, break bread, share stories, reunite and bond. Our children get to interact with other family, and its one of the few chances that many of us get interact one to one.
But let us not forget why we do all of this. Why we travel, why we give gifts, why we look forward to seeing new faces and family, and most importantly, why Christmas should be the most joyful celebration of the year.
They say that it is the season of giving. But the truth is, it’s the season of receiving and being humble enough to accept. We have all received the greatest gift of all. Through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, we all have been given the gift of salvation and everlasting life. All we have to do is accept it.
Let us Pray
Heavenly father, we thank you for your son, Jesus. Thank you for allowing us to all gather in celebration and giving us the opportunity to receive your gift. We thank you for the Hope and Joy that your gift offers us, and that we all be reminded of the sacrifice that you and your son made in order to save us all from our sins. We ask that we all find joy and prosper in the upcoming new year. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.