Hard to believe, but the Advent season is upon us. Does the Christmas season still bring us joy? Many of us have celebrated multiple Christmases. Looking back, the many memories associated with Christmas come to mind. The childhood memories are especially endearing and still bring a smile today. We were so excited about Christmas. Our parents called it joyful anticipation. It was thrilling when the Christmas tree was set up, lighting up the entire room with its twinkling lights. Under the tree lay beautifully wrapped gifts—our gifts. The big question was whether our wishes would come true.
While external trappings played a role, there was always a focus to not lose sight of the true meaning of Christmas. The Christmas services, along with the Sunday school program, highlighted the true spirit of Christmas: the birth of the Savior. We heard, “God became man.” In our home, it was a tradition to read the Christmas story from the Gospel of Luke and kneel in prayer before unwrapping our gifts. As a young child, these thoughts were hard to comprehend. How could this be possible? The Creator coming down from His world into our world, the world of humans. God’s Son came to our Earth. One of the first Bible verses we memorized as children was John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” God gave His Son. This is the essence of Christmas.
But we only truly understand this when the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin and guilt, showing us that we are lost. He makes us aware of our sins against God. Suddenly, we realize we are separated from God. Our sins stand like a wall between us and God. The Bible describes such people as “spiritually dead.” Paul clearly summarizes this in his letter to the Romans, speaking of the lost state of humanity while also offering the solution: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
And that’s where Christmas comes in. God set out to help us; He took the first step toward humanity. John describes it this way: “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14). Our thoughts hasten to Bethlehem. There we find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths, just like any other baby. And yet, unlike any other baby. It is the Son of God, born of a virgin. This truth allowed Him to be called “holy, innocent, undefiled” (Hebrews 7:26). As the Innocent, He came to bear our guilt and atone for our sins. About 700 years before this event, the prophet Isaiah vividly spoke of it: “Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes, we are healed” (Isaiah 53:4-5). When we compile these thoughts, we understand that Bethlehem was merely the birthplace of Jesus; the goal was Calvary, where He was “wounded for our transgressions.”
In Galatians 4:4, we read: “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son.” Paul makes it clear that everything unfolded precisely according to God’s timing and plan, fulfilling many Old Testament promises. For instance, Joseph, with the obviously pregnant Mary, had to travel to Bethlehem, as it was foretold (Micah 5:1) that Jesus would be born there. God used a census that required Joseph to go to his hometown, bringing them to Bethlehem. And there, the Savior of all people (1 Timothy 4:10) was born.
The evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John—add to the narrative through their accounts, guiding us to the scene at Golgotha, where He was crucified. The Innocent died for the guilty. He bore their punishment and death and paved the way back to God. He died in our place. For us. For me. In John 19:30, Jesus speaks His last words: “It is finished!”—these three words say it all. God’s plan was fulfilled.
Resting on the promises of the Old Testament, their fulfillments were initiated through the Christmas story. Announced and promised thousands of years earlier, people waited a long time for the Messiah. And then the time came. In Matthew, 1:18 it states: “Now the birth of Christ was as follows…” and goes into detail about how it all came to pass. Difficulties had to be overcome, and obstacles had to be removed. Yet above it all, the angel’s triumphant words rang true: “For with God nothing will be impossible” (Luke 1:37).
Christmas—Jesus came into the world. In this Light, the gifts and strings of lights become unimportant. They fade away. It becomes clear to me how most people miss the true meaning of Christmas. The trivial becomes paramount, and the essential becomes trivial. I want to truly celebrate Christmas. I want to rejoice like a child. I want to let the angels’ message, addressed to the shepherds, deeply affect me. They apply to me as well. “Then the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord… Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!’” (Luke 2:10-14).
Contemplate the lyrics of a German Christmas carol: “With the shepherds I will hasten, to behold my precious Savior.” That is my desire as well; I want my Savior to be the focus of this Christmas season. Then it will truly be Christmas.
Have a blessed Christmas.
Harry Semenjuk
Wetaskiwin, Alberta
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