By Douglas V. Gibbs
The story of Christmas isn’t about Santa, Christmas Trees, family gatherings around a big meal, or sleigh bells ringing. This is about the most prophesied radical invasion in human history: when God stepped off His Throne in Heaven, traveled to Earth to wrap Himself in flesh, was born in the most humble manner, and rescued the world drowning in sin.
The world into which Jesus was born was dark; politically, spiritually, and morally. Joseph and Mary were poor, and engaged to marry. They lived while the Roman Empire ruled the Holy Land with an iron fist. Israel was under occupation, not only by Rome, but by the deceitful powers of human nature and the Prince of Darkness. The Jewish religious leaders were corrupt, and protective of their power, not realizing they were tools of the god of this world.
Deliverance was needed, and deliverance was at hand. It had been prophesied. But, the people of the world weren’t ready for the kind of deliverance God had in mind.
They expected a warrior.
God sent a baby.
Luke Chapter 2 tells us that Mary and Joseph traveled to Bethlehem for the census, which also lined up Christ’s birth with Micah’s 700 year old prediction of Him being born in Bethlehem.
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. (Micah 5:2)
She was pregnant, but she was a virgin. She had been visited by the Holy Spirit, and she was not only carrying a child, but the Child.
The Messiah.
The One foretold by Isaiah: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)
God With Us.
There was no room at the inn.
So the King of Kings was born in a stable, laid in an animal’s feeding trough (manger), surrounded by animals.
Why?
Because God wanted to make it clear:
He humbly came not as a member of the elite, but as a child of the most humble beginnings. He came for all, but only if you would believe upon him. There was no fanfare, or kings holding him up to the sky. There was simply a bright star. And, the angels didn’t appear to kings. They appeared to shepherds, the lowest rung of society.
Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy… (Luke 2:10)
And suddenly the sky exploded with praise:
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! (Luke 2:14)
The story that would lead to the path to Salvation from Sin had begun.
The Savior had arrived.
Herod tried to kill Him. Satan tried to tempt him and corrupt Him. The world tried to ignore Him. But Jesus came with a mission. He lived a sinless life. He died a substitutionary death. He bore the sins of the world, past, present and future. His cross was slammed upon the ground and he was nailed to it, only for Jesus Christ to rise in victory on Calvary, and ultimately to Heaven where He Lives because He conquered death.
Christmas is the beginning of the rescue.
He died so that we may have everlasting life. He died so that the bondage of sin may be broken. He died so that we may surrender to Jesus. Christmas isn’t about gifts under a tree. It’s about the gift that hung on a tree. The cross was always the destination. Bethlehem was just the starting line. He was born to die a horrific death so that we may be saved and live forever.
Jesus came to save.
To redeem.
To restore.
And He’s coming again… not as a baby, but as a King.
Are you ready?
— Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary
