We celebrate Christ’s birth because of His death. Consider this poem written by John Donne, British poet and preacher during the early 1600s:
Twas much,
that man was
made like God before,
But that God should
be like man
much more.
It is a marvelous thought to think that God made human beings in His own image. That He would pattern us after Himself, knowing of our sin nature is truly miraculous. But even more marvelous is the thought that Christ took on our form and became a man.
Christ didn’t enter our world simply to see what it was like. He didn’t merely want to experience our culture, partake in our customs, or learn our ways. Jesus came to earth for one purpose: to die on Calvary to pay for the sins of mankind.
Even as Mary, the mother of Jesus, cradled Him in her arms that first Christmas night, she knew that one day He would save the world from their sins. She had been told that Jesus’ purpose on earth was to provide salvation for a lost and dying world.
We do not celebrate the birth of Christ simply because of the fact that He left Heaven to come to earth. We celebrate His birth because of His death.
Jesus coming to earth and assuming upon Himself the form of a man is cause to rejoice. What a wonderful God who would leave the glory of Heaven and enter humanity’s imperfection! Yet He did so for a reason. He had a mission for coming to earth and that mission was to die on Calvary as a payment for the sins of the world.
As you reflect on Christmas, don’t forget to also reflect on His death. Remember that He was born so that He could die for your sins on the Cross. The payment God required for sins could never be satisfied unless a perfect sacrifice was offered. God’s only Son, Jesus Christ, willingly offered to be that sacrifice so that one day you could be with Him in Heaven for all eternity.
Have you thought on Jesus’ death this Christmas season? Have you thought about the reason for His birth? Jesus sacrificed His own life so that you could live forever. Don’t take for granted the reason for Christ’s birth. Thank Him that when there was no other sacrifice, He willingly became a sacrifice for you and me.(From “Daily In The Word”)
