The Deeper Meaning of Christmas!

December 25th was the date the Romans celebrated the birth of their sun god. After the conversion of Roman emperor Constantine in A.D. 312, he combined the worship of the sun god with the worship of Christ. Christian leaders used this “Christ-mass” celebration as a tool to help convert pagans.
Our celebration of Christmas goes much deeper than just the date on which we observe it. The first Christmas did not celebrate a date as much as a life changing event in history: the birth of Israel’s long awaited Messiah and Lord of all Nations. Early disciples didn’t know the specific night the angels sang and the baby Jesus was born. No one knows the date specifically, but this we do know: As early as the second century, Christians used January 6th to celebrate Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist! Later on, this very festival was expanded to include the celebration of Christ’s birth – being called the Epiphany. So, the first Christmas was not a celebration based on a pagan holiday. It was the celebration of the Word becoming flesh through the birth of Christ! As we celebrate the birth of our savior, here are some deep Biblical truths to ponder on:

We needed a Shepherd!

Luke 2:8-14: And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

After the birth of Christ a great company (company means 100) of the heavenly hosts appeared with the angel to the shepherds announcing the Savior’s birth! He did not appear to the religious leaders of Jerusalem, but to humble shepherds who lived in fields. Although their testimony was not valid in legal court and they were not well respected in society, God chose them as the first witnesses to Christ’s birth. They were considering dirty by society but God saw their humility and hunger to be cleansed by the Savior! Similarly, Christ came to be our Shepherd, who humbly guides us, stooping low to deal with our dirty lives, transforming us and making us clean.

Psalm 18:35: You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great.

We are undeserving of the gracious gift of our humble Shepherd. Do we approach Christ and his amazing Kingdom that we were baptized into with great humility? Do we stoop down to help others to be great?

We needed a King!

When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

The Magi presented Jesus with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The gift of gold represented royalty and kingship. This gift was prophetic, stating the Christ child would be King of Kings, Lord of Lords, master of all! As we look in retrospect over the last year, have we made Jesus Lord in all areas of our lives? Is he Lord of our purpose, of how we spend our time, Lord of our jobs, our families, our finances and our everything? Surrendering all to our King is very freeing and refreshing! After all, he is King of his Kingdom, his church! Are you seeking His Kingdom first? Is He King of your life or are you?

We needed a Priest!

Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Frankincense was burned by the priest – believing its aroma carried the prayers of the people to heaven. Christ became our great eternal high priest, who through his blood is now our source of forgiveness and also the permanent mediator between us and God. He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses and plead for our mercy. Do you walk around with confidence, secure in God’s grace or do you have unconfessed sin or unnecessary guilt plaguing you? If you are walking around holding on to hidden sin or guilt in your heart, be open with a disciple today. Having Christ as our Priest brings security and freedom!

We needed a Savior!

1 Peter 2:21-25: To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Myrrh was a prophetic gift symbolizing that Christ was born to die for the sins of the world. Myrrh is an Arabic word for bitter and was used for embalming the dead. Christ died for us and has now called us to follow in His steps! As disciples, we have made a commitment to daily follow is his steps by dying to ourselves and our sinful nature, taking up our cross and carrying it daily. As you spend time with family and friends through the holiday, how are you going to die to yourself and share the good news? Everyone needs a savior!

As we celebrate Christ’s birth, it is our prayer that you will have a memorable holiday season and spend it focusing on how Jesus came to be your Shepherd, your King, your High Priest, and most importantly, your Savior.

Merry Christmas from the OICC!