This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly. But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.
When Jesus Christ was born, angels in heaven gathered to sing praises of His glorious birth. Shepherds came to witness the birth of Jesus Christ. Wise men from the east came to worship Jesus Christ. They were united in rejoicing because they had witnessed the miraculous birth of the Saviour Jesus Christ.
Christmas is more than the lightings in the streets and shopping malls or the merrymaking, dining, shopping and giving of gifts. Rather, Christmas is about God giving His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Saviour, and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on earth—the person who would eventually mark a turning point in human history.
That little baby Jesus grew to be the Son of man who was crucified on the cross to die and pay for our sins. He laid down his life willingly so that we can live and have eternal life. All of the crimes of humanity have to be punished. It was He who took the punishment for our sins. By His death, He met the justice demanded of our holy and righteous God for all our sins. Jesus Christ is the Messiah. We, who believe in Jesus Christ to be our Savior, will escape from the judgement wrath of God. It is because of this that we can be truly happy during Christmas, no matter what we are experiencing in our lives. We will have the certainty of the hope of heaven and our eternal home in the presence of our glorious Almighty Creator God. The joy and peace we receive this Christmas will be sufficient to last the whole year.
Jesus Christ paid the debt for our sins when he was crucified on the cross. God punished his Son in place of mankind and raised Jesus Christ from the grave, conquering both sin and death. We who believe in Jesus Christ to be our Saviour will have our sins forgiven and be rewarded with the gift of eternal life. Christians no longer fear death and can live a victorious life through the power of resurrection of our LORD Jesus Christ. When we celebrate Christmas, may we be reminded of the cross—that Jesus Christ died on the cross so that we are made righteous before our Holy God. May we continue to love God and Jesus Christ as we enjoy this festive season of Christmas!
This Christmas is the Christmas to experience anew the presence of Jesus Christ in our hearts, and to experience the peace and joy that only Christians experience even in times of trouble. Only then will we indeed have a “Merry Christmas”.
Blessed Merry Christmas and have a wonderful year ahead!