In a few days we will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. There is much discussion about the exact date of His birth, but as far as I’m concerned, the exact date doesn’t matter. Here in the United States, we celebrate the birthdays of folk on days that are not their actual birthdays.
On the third Monday in February, we honor our first President, George Washington, whose birthday is February 22nd. We also traditionally honor President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12th. The fact that we celebrate their birthdays on the third Monday in February doesn’t mean they weren’t born because we know that they were.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th but we celebrate his birthday on a national holiday the third Monday of January each year.
The important thing about these men is that they were born and lived. The most important thing about Jesus' birth was that He was born, and He lived. It was a supernatural birth because His mother was a virgin.
Here’s the prediction (prophecy)
Isaiah 7:14 NIV [14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Here’s the fulfillment.
Luke 1:26-27 NIV [26] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Matthew 1:20-23 NIV [20] 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. [21] 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.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Now with that caveat out of the way, this supernatural birth, whenever it happened more than 2000 years ago, is still relevant to us today. With the birth of Jesus God put executed His affirmative action program. Through his Son, Jesus, God came into the world to fulfill his plan to bring people back to himself and provide all mankind with an equal opportunity for reconciliation with Him. During the Christmas season, we remember God’s affirmative action program. God took affirmative action in sending his Son, Jesus, into the world to make himself known to us and to die on the cross to redeem us from our sin.
1. Because Jesus was born, when we accept Him, we have the promise of eternal life with God.
John 3:16-17 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
2. Jesus was born to be the mediator between God the Father and humanity.
1 Timothy 2:5 NIV [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
3. Jesus was born to show us grace. Grace is a favor we don’t deserve. What greater joy can our lives have than to know we are given a precious gift we didn’t earn?
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
4. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God. He was born to bring revelation about Scripture and the reason for the commandments. He showed the world the true character of His Father.
John 18:37 NIV [37] “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Colossians 2:9-10 NIV [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
5. Jesus was born to be rejected in our place so we could adopted into the family of God. Rejection can stir up feelings of worthlessness. The knowledge that Jesus accepts us with unconditional love can soothe a painful soul.
Ephesians 1:5-6 NIV [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
6. Jesus was born to be the Lamb of God and take away sin.
John 1:29 NIV [29] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:35-36 NIV [35] The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. [36] When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
On the third Monday in February, we honor our first President, George Washington, whose birthday is February 22nd. We also traditionally honor President Abraham Lincoln, whose birthday is February 12th. The fact that we celebrate their birthdays on the third Monday in February doesn’t mean they weren’t born because we know that they were.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was born on January 15th but we celebrate his birthday on a national holiday the third Monday of January each year.
The important thing about these men is that they were born and lived. The most important thing about Jesus' birth was that He was born, and He lived. It was a supernatural birth because His mother was a virgin.
Here’s the prediction (prophecy)
Isaiah 7:14 NIV [14] Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.
Here’s the fulfillment.
Luke 1:26-27 NIV [26] In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, [27] to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.
Matthew 1:20-23 NIV [20] 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. [21] 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.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: [23] “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”).
Now with that caveat out of the way, this supernatural birth, whenever it happened more than 2000 years ago, is still relevant to us today. With the birth of Jesus God put executed His affirmative action program. Through his Son, Jesus, God came into the world to fulfill his plan to bring people back to himself and provide all mankind with an equal opportunity for reconciliation with Him. During the Christmas season, we remember God’s affirmative action program. God took affirmative action in sending his Son, Jesus, into the world to make himself known to us and to die on the cross to redeem us from our sin.
1. Because Jesus was born, when we accept Him, we have the promise of eternal life with God.
John 3:16-17 NIV [16] For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
2. Jesus was born to be the mediator between God the Father and humanity.
1 Timothy 2:5 NIV [5] For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,
3. Jesus was born to show us grace. Grace is a favor we don’t deserve. What greater joy can our lives have than to know we are given a precious gift we didn’t earn?
Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast. [10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
4. Jesus came to bring us the truth about God. He was born to bring revelation about Scripture and the reason for the commandments. He showed the world the true character of His Father.
John 18:37 NIV [37] “You are a king, then!” said Pilate. Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”
Colossians 2:9-10 NIV [9] For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, [10] and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.
2 Corinthians 4:6 NIV [6] For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
5. Jesus was born to be rejected in our place so we could adopted into the family of God. Rejection can stir up feelings of worthlessness. The knowledge that Jesus accepts us with unconditional love can soothe a painful soul.
Ephesians 1:5-6 NIV [5] he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— [6] to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
6. Jesus was born to be the Lamb of God and take away sin.
John 1:29 NIV [29] The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:35-36 NIV [35] The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. [36] When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
7. Jesus was born to bring spiritual peace.
Luke 2:13-14 NIV [13] Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Isaiah 9:6 NIV [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
8. Jesus was born to give us abundant life.
John 10:7-10 NIV [7] Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
9 Jesus was born to defeat the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8 NIV [8] The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (emphasis mine).
10. Jesus was born to bring healing to hurting people.
Acts 10:34-38 NIV [34] Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (emphasis mine).
11. Jesus was born to give us everything we need for life and godliness. We can live with the sureness that when we rely on God’s promises, trust His Word, and obey His directions, we will receive the answer to our needs.
2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV [3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Numbers 23:19 NIV [19] God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
12. Jesus was born to destroy the power of death. Because He was born, we can be free of the fear of death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NIV [55] “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:18 NIV [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
We will celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th but while we celebrate, we look forward to and anticipate His coming again. This time it will not be as a baby born in a manager to a virgin but with great pomp and circumstance.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Luke 2:13-14 NIV [13] Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, [14] “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”
Isaiah 9:6 NIV [6] For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
8. Jesus was born to give us abundant life.
John 10:7-10 NIV [7] Therefore Jesus said again, “Very truly I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. [8] All who have come before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep have not listened to them. [9] I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. [10] The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
9 Jesus was born to defeat the works of the devil.
1 John 3:8 NIV [8] The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work (emphasis mine).
10. Jesus was born to bring healing to hurting people.
Acts 10:34-38 NIV [34] Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right. [36] You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. [37] You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached-- [38] how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him (emphasis mine).
11. Jesus was born to give us everything we need for life and godliness. We can live with the sureness that when we rely on God’s promises, trust His Word, and obey His directions, we will receive the answer to our needs.
2 Peter 1:3-4 NIV [3] His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. [4] Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Numbers 23:19 NIV [19] God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?
12. Jesus was born to destroy the power of death. Because He was born, we can be free of the fear of death.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 NIV [55] “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” [56] The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. [57] But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Revelation 1:18 NIV [18] I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.
We will celebrate the birth of Jesus on December 25th but while we celebrate, we look forward to and anticipate His coming again. This time it will not be as a baby born in a manager to a virgin but with great pomp and circumstance.
1 Thessalonians 4:16 NIV [16] For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
Philippians 2:9-11 NIV [9] Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, [10] that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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