Imagine a Birthday Party without a person celebrating a birthday.
You might say, “That’s not a birthday. It would be just a party.”
Exactly.
As Christians, if we fail to celebrate Jesus during the celebration of his birth, all we have done is have a party. We will have decorated, invited friends and family, and even exchanged gifts, but we will have missed the meaning of Christmas.
Christmas isn’t simply remembering the birth of Jesus. Christmas, truly celebrated, is to remember the purpose of his birth. According to the Christmas story in the Bible, there were 4 reasons for the birth of Christ. These 4 reasons were what brought such great joy.
The 4 Joys of Christmas
1. The Joy of Salvation
According to the story that tells of the Angel convincing Joseph to keep his engagement and marriage with Mary, Jesus was born to save the world of its sins.
“But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:20-21/NRSV
2. The Joy of God’s Presence
Matthew tells us that the birth of Jesus was to fulfill the prophecy.
All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” Matthew 1:22-23/NRSV
Jesus was born to initiate the era of God dwelling with his people. It was a dwelling that continues for eternity.
3. The Joy of the Kingdom of God
The angel Gabriel told Mary that she was with child. But not just any child, this was to be a child who would inherit the throne of David and that his Kingdom would be forever.
The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” Luke 1:30-33/NRSV
God’s reason for sending his son was to establish his Kingdom for all eternity. It is much more than a little child born in Bethlehem. It is about the new heaven and new earth God will create.
4. The Joy of the Messiah
The Angel Choir told the shepherds, “Great tidings of joy we bring to you. The messiah has been born!”
The word messiah captures everything we just discussed and more. It was the messiah that was to save Israel of its sins, bring God’s presence to dwell with them, and to usher in a new kingdom that would have no end.
As Christians, we understand that the message of the Gospel is that this promise extends to all who will believe.
To celebrate the birth of Jesus is to celebrate the birth of the one who ushers in the Kingdom of God which means forgiveness of sins, the eternal presence of God, and the promise of living with Jesus for eternity in the Kingdom he is preparing for us.
Christmas is more than a good time with festive decorations. Christmas is more than gathering with friends and family. Christmas is more than exchanging gifts.
Christmas is about celebrating the birth of Jesus. More importantly, Christmas is about the purpose of the birth of Jesus. The purpose of his birth is what gives joy to the Angels, Joseph, Mary, and the Shepherds. The purpose is the reason for joy.
