The "Why?" of Christmas

There is so much about Jesus that doesn’t make sense. Ancient prophecies, virgin births, lowly stable, religious opposition, miracles and healings, God become man, power laid aside, an innocent death, and the resurrection. There are mysteries with each one. Wondrous things too great for our minds to make sense of.

Scripture has other mysteries, other things we debate and study and re-examine. The gospel itself has unknown depth and width and we keep exploring and surrendering to it.

Within all of these mysteries there is one thing that scripture makes absolutely clear. If you have trusted in Christ you can know without any second guessing that all of those other mysteries were for your sake. It was love that brought these things about.

The oaths, covenants, and promises of the old testament are about love for you. Guidance and direction and hope for you. The bread and the wine are a remembrance of that love for you. Baptism shows that we are covered by God’s love when we accept his death and resurrection as our own.

Jesus was not just a moral teacher or a good example. He is not just one among many wise people to whom we can look. He is singular in his power and righteousness. He alone offers salvation.

The clarity surrounding Jesus’ purpose of coming to redeem you is shouted from scriptures all over the place. You are bought, adopted, redeemed, transformed, given new life, justified, forgiven and so many more things.

So we come to the manger and we have some questions on how a virgin gave birth. And on how he ended up as a king in a stable. And on how it works for God to become a man. Or on what he was like as a child or how a watching and waiting Israel didn’t recognize him.

But none of those questions should ever obscure the “why?”

You. He wrapped up all those mysteries in the act of redemption for you. Compelled by love, mercy and justice. Brokenhearted over sin and brokenness. For the sake of the glory of his name. Jesus did it all, as confusing as some of it may be, for you.

Celebrate yourself this Christmas. Do it with humility and contrition and with great focus on your identity in Christ. Jesus thought the praise of his name and the presence of you in eternal worship as worth it all.