If someone were to ask you to explain the message of Christmas in a nutshell—quickly and to the point—what would you say? A good place to start might be the story of the shepherds. On the night of Jesus’ birth, some shepherds were in the fields outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly an angel appeared among them, and the landscape shone bright with the glory of the Lord. They were badly frightened, but the angel reassured them.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone! The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born tonight in Bethlehem! How will you recognize him? You will find a baby wrapped in a blanket, lying in a manger!” Luke 2:10a-12 (TLB)
In a nutshell, the Christmas message is that the birth of Jesus was the most joyful news ever announced. That night in Bethlehem, God made a personal appearance, starting a chain of events that would lead to salvation for anyone who recognizes Jesus as Lord and Savior.
Notice the question the angel answered before the shepherds even had a chance to ask it: “How will you recognize him?” That is a question we may want to ask ourselves, as we prepare to celebrate Jesus’ birth. During the Christmas season our lives can become so busy we miss the significance of Immanuel – God with us. The book of John helps us recognize the true nature of baby Jesus.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5 (NIV)
Jesus gave us a pathway to adoption into the family of God and the guarantee of eternal life. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (KJV)
When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)
Who was that baby born in a manger? He was and is our life-giving, all-powerful, and personal Lord and Savior, who came into our world as a light in the darkness. He is just waiting and wanting us to recognize him.
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Because He Loves Us Press 