Jesus born | Christmas

Christmas, the celebration of Christmas trees, lights, and a stable. The celebration of homely warmth and coziness. And not to forget delicious food… But what is the meaning of Christmas?

CHRISTMAS  

Christmas reminds us of the birth of Jesus, the Son of God. For centuries, His coming to this earth has been celebrated. He came to save people, that is, to make them truly happy again. But: ‘Are we unhappy then?’ 

GOD’S GOOD CREATION 

The Bible, God’s book, tells us about the beginning of the earth. At first, there was nothing except God. He has always existed. God is the Creator (Designer and Maker) of heaven and earth. Man, too, was created by God. Everything was completely good, perfect!  

The first people were Adam and Eve. They had an unbroken relationship with God and with each other. Their lives showed complete freedom. God loved them, and they loved God and each other. If they would always obey God out of love, they would live forever in paradise. That was God’s promise. For this, He made an agreement, a covenant, with them.  

THE FALL INTO SIN 

Unfortunately, Adam and Eve were disobedient. They wanted to be equal to God and decide for themselves what is good and evil. Because of this, everything changed. Now we, their descendants, no longer live in peace with God and our fellow human beings. The good relationship with God is broken. We are alienated from God. We no longer know Him. Because of this, mankind has become very unhappy. We have lost our purpose in life; this is called sin. Pride, selfishness, unjust power, greed, hostility, and rebellion have taken the place of love for and obedience to God. Love for our fellow man is also disturbed and no longer as God intended. We all have to deal with this. We all suffer from the same disease: sin. The symptoms of this condition are noticeable to us all: brokenness, pain, and sorrow. Quarrels and violence. Sickness and mourning. 

Is that a good message? That doesn’t sound like a reason to celebrate, does it? 

John 3:17
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved!

THE BIRTH OF JESUS, THE SAVIOR  

Yes, it is, because the Bible is honest and the Bible gives hope! If the cause of this condition, sin, is addressed, we will again fulfill our purpose in life: living in peace and harmony with God and the people around us. 

After the fall into sin, God did not put a period. God is just, but also merciful. His heart burns with love for this broken world that He has made. He had a rescue plan, a good plan! For God was good, God is good, and God will remain good. Immediately after the disastrous choice of Adam and Eve, God promised to send a Savior, a Redeemer, into this world. Someone who could restore the broken relationship with God and take the punishment for sin upon Himself. He undid the injustice and conquered death. In this way, God can once again give a perfectly happy life to all who believe in Him. 

How? God gave the dearest thing He had: His Son Jesus. 

God Himself announced the coming and birth of His Son through an angel, first to Mary and her fiancé Joseph. Later also to shepherds and wise men from the East. Jesus was born in a stable in Bethlehem. He exchanged the glory with His Father in heaven for a life in this broken, uncertain, hostile world. He remained God and became Man. He came to do His Father’s will, for only He could restore the broken relationship between God and man. 
That is Christmas: Jesus who allowed Himself to be humbled, literally brought down, to be born of an insignificant young woman, the virgin Mary, in an animal stable. The beginning of His life here on earth. 

What else did Jesus do? Read more about Good Friday and Easter.