the story of Christmas

The story of Christmas is simple. Let’s start in the beginning: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.

This Word is Jesus. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

And though Jesus was in the form of God, He did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The angel Gabriel declared to Mary, “Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” And Paul confirmed that when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.

That’s the reason for Christmas and why Jesus was born, “to redeem those who were under the law, so we might be adopted as sons.” Christmas is because God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. Since we are of flesh and blood and separated from God because of sin, He Himself became flesh and blood, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. Jesus is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since His death has occurred that redeems them from their sin.

He who knew no sin became sin for you, if you believe. Believe on the Lord Jesus today, to pay for your sin and be right with God. Merry Christmas!