The Meaning & The Message Of Christmas

1. The One who is unapproachable has approached us.

We are natural, while God is supernatural; we are fleshly, while God is spiritual; we are ordinary, while God is extraordinary; we are sinful, while God is holy. We could not approach God, so He approached us. The One who is supernatural, became natural; the one who is spiritual, became flesh; the One who is extraordinary, became ordinary. Being born as a little child in a Bethlehem manger.

“The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. We saw the glory with our own eyes.” - John 1:14 (MSG)

He was the only child who asked to be born.

And He came to us with eyes wide open,

knowing how we’re hurt and broken,

choosing to partake of all our joy and pain.

He was just an ordinary baby,

that’s the way He planned it, maybe,

so that we could come to Him and not be afraid.

2. The One who is unknowable has revealed Himself to us.

All we need to know about God is revealed in the person of Christ.

“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father!” - John 14:9 (NLT)

“The Son radiates God’s own glory and expresses the very character of God.” - Hebrews 1:3 (NLT)

The Rospigliosi Palace in Rome, Italy, has a work of art called the “Aurora” painted on the ceiling. But it is hard to take in the beauty of it without craning their neck or getting dizzy. But they have installed a mirror on the floor, by which one can comfortably take in the full panorama of the work of art. The wonder of the painting can now be fully appreciated, because one can study it in the reflection of the mirror.

In the same way, God has made it possible for us to fully appreciate Him and know Him by taking on flesh in Christ.

3. That which was impossible has been accomplished for us.

What was the significance of the name, "Jesus?"

“You will name Him Jesus, which means ‘the Lord saves,’ because this Jesus is the person who will save all of His people from sin.” - Matthew 1:21 (The Voice)

Sin is a problem from which we needed saving. Why? Because . . .

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” - Romans 3:23 (NIV)

“The wages of sin is death . . .” - Romans 6:23 (NLT)

“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” - Romans 4:25 (NLT)

“He paid a debt, He did not owe, I owed a debt, I could not pay,

I needed someone, to wash my sins away.

And now I sing a brand new song, ‘Amazing Grace, all day long.’

Christ Jesus paid a debt, that I could never pay.”

4. That which was lost has been restored to us.

“The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us, but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference . . . Since we’ve compiled this long and sorry record as sinners and proved that we are utterly incapable of living the glorious lives God wills for us, God did it for us. Out of sheer generosity he put us in right standing with himself.

A pure gift. He got us out of the mess we’re in and restored us to where he always wanted us to be. And he did it by means of Jesus Christ.” - Romans 3:22-24 (MSG)

In the song, “Bring Back The Glory,” there is a line which says, “Bring back the glory, won’t you show us what life is for?”

In Christ, God has not only come to us to reveal Himself to us, but He has paid the price so we might know forgiveness of sin and be restored to a place where our lives can once again bring Him glory. And THAT is what life is for.

Conclusion: The One who is unapproachable approached us in Christ; so that the One who is unknowable might be revealed to us; so that what was impossible might be accomplished for us; and that which was lost might be restored to us. Of all the gifts of Christmas, the greatest is the gift of God’s Son, whereby we receive the gift of new life that can be lived for God’s glory! Have you received this gift of new life?

Little Town of Bethlehem

O holy Child of Bethlehem,

Descend to us, we pray;

Cast out our sins and enter in,

Be born to us today.

We hear the Christmas angels

The great glad tidings tell:

Oh, come to us, abide with us,

Our Lord Emmanuel!