Resist the temptation to get swept up in gifts and lights but rather get swept up in the Savior who sacrificed all he had to become the ultimate sacrifice for us.
We celebrate Christmas with an emphasis on the nativity scene, a sanitized version of what actually happened that night. Nativity scenes depict baby Jesus in a soft, wooden manger which more than likely was a stone slab slobbered on by filthy animals. Jesus was born to an unwed mother who told everyone a crazy story about being impregnated by God. Shunned by society, Mary and Joseph had Jesus in deplorable conditions. Not exactly the ideal situation for a king to be born.
But God had a plan. He allowed his own Son to come to earth as a baby so he could be the ultimate sacrifice for our salvation. Jesus is the embodiment of the gospel message. But to do that, he had stripped himself of his inheritance and become like us in every way so he could experience what it is like to be one of us.
Here are six reasons Jesus had to come to earth as a baby:
1. To Be Completely Dependent on Others
In Luke 9, Jesus, when he was done teaching the disciples, sends them out two by two. He says, “When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. He told them: 'Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.' So, they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.” The Lord did this so we would know exactly how dependent he chose to be not only on his earthly parents but also on his Heavenly Father. This was to demonstrate how we all need to be completely dependent on God for our every need.
2. To Strip Himself of His Authority
Jesus chose to come to the earth and strip himself of all his heavenly power. Philippians 2 says, “Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!” Imagine having all the luxuries available at your whim. Then decide if you want to give that up to become a carpenter who is despised by people and has to suffer horrific persecution to bear someone else’s sin! Jesus had to become human, so he could serve us in our plight. This is one of the many sacrifices he made so we could have intimacy with the Father.
3. To Be Declared Innocent
Jesus became a baby so he could be innocent of all sin. If he came to the towns and cities as an adult, everyone would have been curious about his past. When he started declaring he was the Son of God, many were able to come to him because he spent his time helping others by healing them, driving out demons, and preaching to the people. People who didn’t know him heard about him because of his reputation. Of course, there were some, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, who started rumors so people would not like him because they were jealous of him. But even without knowing God, Pontius Pilate’s wife had a vision from an angel who said not to crucify Jesus, and they did anyway. This only made Jesus’ death and resurrection crueler because not only had he committed no sin, but Pilate was warned to set him free, and he chose to listen to the people instead of to God.
4. To Become Like Us
2 Corinthians 5:21 says, “God, made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” How could we trust a God for our salvation who doesn’t know what it is like to be like us? He sent his Son Jesus to become like us, feeling every emotion and battling every temptation, so he could become the atoning sacrifice for our sins. A distant God who doesn’t know how hard it is to be human is much less credible than a Savior who chose this life so all can have an equal opportunity to trust in him and turn from their sinful ways.
5. To Be the Light of the World
With rising inflation, a rocky economy, and many out of work and unsure about their futures, we can all agree the world is a tumultuous place. Yet, Christ calls us as Christians to be lights in a dark world that through us they may see Christ. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then, you will shine among them like stars in the sky…” With light, it can permeate even the darkest of places. Even a little light dispels the darkness—even when we are scared and unsure about the world around us. We can always trust in God and be the light that attracts people and points them to God. Jesus came as a baby to point people to his Father. Because he said, “very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does” (John 5:19).
6. To Bring Hope
Many of us know the classic Christmas carols, like "O Holy Night". The lyrics ring true when we think about the reason why Jesus came to earth as a baby: “long lay the world, in sin and error pining, 'til he appeared, and the soul felt its worth. A thrill of hope, the weary world rejoices…” Jesus brings hope every day. But on December 25th, we celebrate the fact that he was born and brought hope to a dying world. This Christmas, take time to rejoice in the fact that his mercies are new every morning, and then we can start each day with hope that God will fight for us. Because of his grace, we can be saved from our sins and walk in freedom.
Jesus not only took on our sins to be the ultimate sacrifice for us, but he also became like us in every way. He thought like us, felt like us, and was tempted just like us. He demonstrated you can overcome trials and tough circumstances. By coming to earth as a baby, he became our friend to love us even when we struggle, bear our burdens, and teach us how to become more like him so we can be the same friend to others as Jesus is to us.
Jesus brought hope in peace to a chaotic world. In these chaotic times, we can rejoice even more in knowing that we are promised that hope and peace even today. As you gather with friends and family this holiday season, reflect on the reasons why Jesus came to earth. Resist the temptation to get swept up in gifts and lights but rather get swept up in the Savior who sacrificed all he had to become the ultimate sacrifice for us.
Jesus really is the reason for the season.
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