I know, the title is such a cliché, but it really is the most important thing about Christmas. There is nothing wrong about getting gifts for others in hopes to make them smile, but that’s really just some extra whipped cream on top of the ice cream.
Do you remember the Christmas story? You’re probably thinking ‘duh’, but I honestly ask do you know it all the way through? Let’s take a look at some of the highlights of the beginning.
…he [Jesus] will crush your [Satan’s] head,
and you [Satan] will strike his [Jesus] heel. Genesis 3:15Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel [God with us]. Isaiah 7:14
But the angel said to her [Mary], “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” Luke 1:30-33
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:8-12
New International Version
Does it sound familiar so far? That’s what I thought, but the story isn’t over yet. We need to read a few more passages before the story ends.
So Pilate asked Jesus, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. Luke 23:3
Wanting to release Jesus, Pilate appealed to them again. But they kept shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” Luke 23:20-21
Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. Luke 23:32-34
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46
On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb [of Jesus]. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Then they remembered his words. Luke 24:1-8
Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. John 17:3
New International Version
Now we have the entire story. We often try to make Christmas a ‘holly jolly’, little baby in the manger day, but that’s just the start of the story. We don’t understand why this day is special if we don’t look at the end of the Christmas story.
Jesus dying a brutal death, raising to life again, just so that we could have eternal life is the reason for the season. Sure, the birth is important because the death isn’t possible if there was no life. We can’t pretty the story up by not mentioning death.
See, when the very first sin happened (Genesis 3), we brought death, destruction, and pain into God’s perfect, peaceful, and painless world. God gave the Israelites a way to atone for their sins, though. He gave them the sin sacrifice.
The sin sacrifice (Leviticus 4) entailed the death of an animal. The shedding of their blood is to ‘cover’ their sins but cannot cleanse them. A person deserves death upon sinning, but God substituted an animal for His beloved people.
When Jesus died on the cross (Luke 23), He became the new, holy substitute for the animal substitute. This was done so that no sacrifice would ever have to be made again. His ultimate and glorious, yet horrifyingly painful, sacrifice covered all people, over all time, only this time He offers a cleansing of sin.
All that we have to do to be cleansed of our sins is 1. have a relationship with Jesus, 2. repent of our sins (say we are sorry and actually try to stop doing that sin), and 3. ask for forgiveness from God and whoever you sinned against. This isn’t a formula for a perfect life, but it is what God has given us out of His great love so that we can have eternal life after death.
Did I forget to mention that part? When you have a relationship with Jesus, He cleanses you from your sins so that you can live in heaven after death. The reason that you need to be cleansed is because perfection is the only thing that can be in God’s presence. Jesus went through all that pain so that you could have peace in your heart and live with Him and His Father in eternity! What great love!
Now, I do want you to know that this is not a one and done deal. You can’t just say that you gave your life to Jesus when you were ten and then live the party life expecting to go to heaven. You need to actually ask God to help you lead your life in a fashion that honors Him and that He wants for you. Being in relationship with Jesus, repenting, and asking for forgiveness are going to be a constant process in life.
Remember, though, that having a relationship with Jesus shouldn’t be looked at as a task, but a pleasure. He wants to be your best friend, not your task master. Let Him love on you and be sure to love on Him back. No friend wants to hang with someone that only expects to receive but never gives.
I hope this overview of the Christmas story in the fullest helps you to see God’s great love and why we celebrate this Holiday. Merry Christmas!
