I could be writing about the craziness of the upcoming election year or the economy, but I’m referring to the craziness of the Christmas season. There are decorations to put up, parties to host and attend, cookies to bake and gifts, gifts and more gifts to buy. Oh, don’t forget getting the great deal on that certain item you wanted for yourself. Now, did I forget anything? Let me see; I have decorations, parties, cookies, gifts and that special something for myself. Yup, I think that’s it. Oh yeah, celebrate Jesus, I almost forgot Him!
I hope we all celebrate Jesus this Christmas, but it is truly easy to lose sight of Him in all the commotion of the season. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Why do we celebrate Christmas anyway?” Why is it so important that Jesus Christ was born of a woman as a 100% human baby?
I can think of at least two reasons: One, because He had to be human to be our kinsman-redeemer and two; He had to live the perfect life, keeping all of the Law as a human in order to have the perfect righteousness to give to anyone who would trust in Him, calling out to Him to be their Savior and LORD (Romans 3:19 – 28) (Romans 5:9 – 21).
This Christmas season take a moment to stop and think about what Jesus Christ did for us. I know I often overlook what He chose to leave to become human. He was existing eternally in heaven as God with angels worshiping and serving Him continually. He left all of that to become a helpless human baby who would feel hunger, the sting of diaper rash and the other aches and pains of a typical life. He experienced all the joys and sorrows of childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Let us also remember that He allowed Himself to experience the most painful and humiliating death possible, crucifixion (Phil. 2:5 – 11) (Col. 1:15 – 23).
In order to be a kinsman-redeemer, one must be a relative. In order for Jesus Christ to redeem us (the human race), he had to be 100% human. It was through His real, 100% human body He purchased our souls from hell (Col. 1:22) (Hebrews 10:8 – 14) (1Peter 2:24).
As you go about buying and giving gifts this Christmas season make sure you receive and give thanks for the “gifts” YHWH-God has for you: The Holy Spirit, righteousness, eternal life and salvation.
May you have a Jesus Christ filled Christmas season!
Shalom,
Joe Ebenhoe (The Prophecy Puzzle)
Joe love your blogs as always! Just one question, when you say that Jesus ‘kept the law’, of what law do you speak? I remember him working and healing on the Sabbath a number of times, did he really heed the law? Thanks!
Thanks Jason, I mean the whole Old Testament Law. Jesus never broke the Sabbath. God put a provision in the law that it was OK to help someone or even an animal on the Sabbath. Shalom, Joe
So true. Christmas has become a holiday of pressure to try to stimulate the economy and people are so stressed it does not seem to be much fun because the “to do list” never ends. In a way, Halloween seems to be a more fun and less hectic day for people that have only to dress-up and receive sweets. Thanks for reminding us that Christmas is not supposed to be a hectic holiday but instead, a peaceful, grateful, and loving holiday focused on the reason for the season – Jesus!