We started decorating for Christmas the other day. So far we have one wreath, a few lights and four advent candles. We haven’t even gotten to the tree yet. I know when I pull out the ornaments my grandma gave me before my wedding, I’ll smile remembering her fun and generous spirit. When we set up the nativity, I’ll think of my dear aunt who gave it to me. Getting ready for Christmas is always a special blend of recalling old memories while making new ones. But I have to admit that when I’m hauling box after box from storage, I can’t help but wonder – why am I doing all this?
Even if you’re not a regular church-attender, you’re likely to encounter Luke 2 this season. It’s the story of Jesus’ arrival in Bethlehem. Luke beautifully recreates the drama of Mary and Joseph searching for shelter, the barn, the shepherds stunned by an angelic choir. It’s a birth story like no other. The birthday of the King of kings is definitely something that calls for an all-out celebration.
I love sharing other people’s birthday celebrations but they rarely lead me to the “great joy” the angel spoke of. How do we get from a birth announcement to alleluia? How do we get from good news to great joy?
I think there’s a clue in 1 John 4:9 – “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him.”
John actually wrote essentially the same thing in another book, the Gospel of John. You might even be more familiar with it – “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it” (John 3:16-17).
Don’t miss the tiny conjunction in both those passages – so. Jesus came into the world, was born as a baby in Bethlehem, so that we would be saved. So. For this reason.
God knows all about our suffering and heartache and longing. He is ever aware of our great need. Because of His incomprehensible love for us, He responded to our desperation with a Savior (Matthew 1:21).
Jesus’ birth is good news worth celebrating because it means something amazing for us. We have been saved, ransomed, redeemed. Before Jesus was born, Zechariah (John the Baptist’s aged father) sang about Him, “We have been rescued from our enemies, so we can serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness forever” (Luke 1:74-75).
So if you find yourself wondering what all the fuss is about Christmas, remember that the fuss is really about you. You are valued and loved, sought after, rescued. You are the reason for the season.
He became their Savior. In all their suffering he also suffered, and he personally rescued them. In his love and mercy he redeemed them. He lifted them up and carried them through all the years. Isaiah 63:8-9