During this time of year, millions of people around the world celebrate Christmas. What is Christmas all about? Is it about Santa Claus, Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer, or “holiday” trees? These traditions may have their place in our culture, but they are not what Christmas is all about. Christmas is all about the birth of Jesus Christ. The birth of Jesus Christ is the most important birth that has ever occurred or that will ever occur. Why?

When Christ was born, God was manifested in human flesh. Other religions – even Judaism and Islam – acknowledge that Jesus was a great teacher and a good man; but God’s word, the Bible, teaches that Jesus was not just a man. He is God incarnate. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1,14). It is fitting that the prophet Isaiah gave Jesus the name “Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us” (Is. 7:14; Matt. 1:23).

Christ’s birth is the most significant birth that has ever occurred not only because He is God in human flesh, but also because of the purpose of His birth. The reason Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, left the glories of heaven to become a true human being was to accomplish God’s plan of salvation. The Lord through an angel instructed Joseph to name the babe in Mary’s womb, Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Jesus Christ came to the earth to accomplish a mission: the salvation of His people. Salvation assumes that there is great danger or peril that someone needs to be saved from. In the case of human beings, our great danger or peril is our sinful condition: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23); “because of these things (sins) the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:6). How did Jesus accomplish His mission? By giving Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of His people: “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13); “For He (God) made Him who knew no sin (Christ) to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor. 5:21). Truly, there is no better news than this!

Notice, however, that not everyone benefits from Christ’s mission of salvation. Remember, “He shall save His people from their sins.” Who are “His people?” Christ’s people are those who repent of their sins and trust in Him alone for the salvation of their souls. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Rom. 10:9). Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Are you saved from your sins? Believe on Him today and receive “the gift of God” which “is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). “Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!” (2 Cor. 9:15).