by Michael Youssef, Ph.D.
This year, as in years past, there will be millions of people gathering in churches to celebrate Christmas. They will hear the Truth of the Gospel, sing the carols of the faith, and declare Jesus the newborn King, but they will ultimately let the Truth of Christmas go in one ear and out the other.
This is difficult to witness year after year because Christmas is not just a nostalgic holiday. It is the celebration of the incarnation of Christ, the revelation of God’s plan for the redemption of man—the ultimate expression of His love for us. The birth of Christ was unique, miraculous, and ultimately for our good and God’s glory.
The Savior of the world, promised as far back as the Garden of Eden (see Genesis 3:15), was born through a young virgin named Mary. Why was it important that she was a virgin? Only the virgin-born Savior is free from original sin, the hereditary condition that has been passed from every father to every child since Adam. Jesus was conceived by the Holy Spirit so that He was born perfect, as any sacrifice for sin must be.
His extraordinary life and ministry followed the pattern of His birth. He was born sinless through the virgin birth, and He lived a sinless life in the face of an enemy who sought to destroy Him. He was born holy and pure, and He died sinless and perfect. Miraculously conceived, He was miraculously resurrected. Take time to dwell on this Good News—it is our only hope for eternal life.
Prayer: God, help me not to just go through the motions this Christmas season without remembering the miraculous story that gives meaning to this season. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
