“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Christians around the world celebrate the birth of Jesus every Christmas. But we can get so caught up in Christmastime activities that we forget exactly what we’re celebrating. Jesus left Heaven and put on human flesh for a reason. So why was Jesus born? His name holds the answer.
The name Jesus is the Greek form of Joshua, which means “the Lord saves.” That’s why the angel of the Lord instructed Joseph to name him Jesus, “for He will save His people from their sins.” So, the celebration of His birth is a salvation celebration.
Sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden. From that point, all people have been born sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). The results of Adam and Eve’s sin showed up immediately. In Genesis 2:25, both were naked and unashamed, but in Genesis 3:10, they were naked and ashamed. And by Genesis 4 we see envy, anger, depression, deceit, and murder.
But God already had a plan. His legal demand for sin is blood, “without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22). We needed a sinless Savior to shed innocent blood as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
Why was Jesus born? The baby in the manger was born to die for the sins of the world. Jesus was born of a virgin that we might be born again. He came to Earth that we might go to Heaven. And He became the Son of Man that we might become the sons and daughters of God. He came to atone for our sin. When did you accept His death on your behalf?
This Christmas, take time to reflect on why Jesus came. Do the children in your life know the real meaning of Christmas? Talk with them about the birth and death of Jesus. Be creative. Don’t get so caught up in Christmastime activities that you forget what you’re celebrating. Remember, Christmas is a celebration of salvation.