QUESTIONS OF HIS COMING

During the time leading up to Christmas, questions often arise about the day and its celebration. In fact, in this space last December, I printed a “Christmas Quiz” that raised a couple dozen questions about the details of our traditional Christmas celebrations.

Typical questions surround elements of the celebration. For example, some question why we use trees (a pagan symbol?), where He was born (a cave, a barn, or an open field?), and quite notably, when He was born (probably not December 25, was it?)

Of course, there’s a point to all these questions. They help us sift out all the cultural myths about Christmas from the biblical truths. But they may also distract us from the most important question about Christmas, and that is this: Why was Jesus born?

You see, when He was born, how He was born, and even where He was born are relatively insignificant matters. And that’s precisely why the Bible doesn’t waste any space on those matters.

But the “Why?” question: now that’s a different matter! And scripture is very clear about it. Let’s allow God’s Word to answer this one for itself.

First, here are some words Jesus spoke about Himself

"Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:31-32).

“The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost” (Luke 19:11).

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him” (John 3:17).

And then we have the testimony of Paul, who, before he met Jesus, loved to persecute and even kill Christians.

“The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (Titus 1:15).

There are many more passages that say the same thing. It’s clear: the whole reason for Jesus’ birth was to save people.

But see who it was He came to save! Not the righteous. Not people who were trying to clean up their lives on their own. Certainly not those who considered themselves more worthy than others.

Sinners! It was sinners that Jesus came to save. Anyone and everyone willing to admit their sin and their need of a Savior.

That’s why every church that seeks to follow Jesus has doors that are intentionally open to anyone who is willing to admit he or she is a sinner, no matter what their sin may be. Jesus didn’t come to create churches that are saint museums, filled with people who gather to congratulate themselves on how good they are in contrast to others. He came to make sinner hospitals, outposts of hope and healing, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Are you a sinner? Do you admit it? If you do, it’s clear that Jesus came to save you from your sin, and make you God’s child.

And that makes Christmas worth celebrating!