Matt’s Matters: The Reason for the Season

“But when the right time came, God sent His Son, born of a woman, subject to the law. God sent Him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that He could adopt us as His very own children” (Gal. 4:4-5).

What Is Christmas All About? Christmas is more than tinsel, toys, trees, egg nog, gifts, and greetings. It is not merely a word of goodwill lightly spoken and soon forgotten in the harsh cries of conflict. Christmas is about answering the biggest dilemma that all people have! However, many people fail to realize the dilemma that they are in. This is just like the person who has cancer that is treatable if dealt with early on.

The dilemma is the crimes that we have committed against the God of the universe. In our hearts, we even recognize this reality. This is why we feel guilty when we lie to other people, take items that do not belong to us, say/do hurtful things to others, cheat on our spouses or taxes, etc.

One day all of us will have to stand before the God of the universe to give an account for our lives. On that day God will not judge us in comparison to what other people have done, but what we have done. And on that day, the good that a person has done will not compensate for the bad. In this we are all doomed as the Bible teaches (Rom. 6:23). Yet that brings us to the primary reason for the season.

One writer said, “Christmas is the celebration of the historical event of where God entered into our world so that He might display the perfection and holiness of God and that through His work of living perfectly and also dying on the cross for our sins, that all who trust in Him would be saved from the righteous judgment of God” (Matt Slick, What is the True Meaning of Christmas?).

John 3:16-17 says it like this. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him.” 

Jesus’ very name means, “The Lord saves.” He came to give His life for ours (Mark 10:45). He came to save sinners from the wages of their sins. There are numerous verses that teach this (Luke 5:32; 19:10; 1 Tim. 1:15). Jesus did not come to save “good people.” He came to save sinners, which Biblically that includes all people as all are sinners (Rom. 3:23). Yet that is just it, we must recognize our dilemma before Him so that we will humbly repent of our sins to be saved.

While Jesus also came so that we could enjoy a relationship with God and to be an example of how to live a grace-filled abundant life. Thus, the primary reason for the season is related to an eternal matter. So, have you received the reason for the season, Jesus as your Lord and Savior? I pray that you have for that will change your life both now and forevermore.

In His service,

Matt