The Birth Of A Savior

BUT WHEN THE FULLNESS OF TIME WAS COME GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF A WOMAN, MADE UNDER THE LAW. Galatians 4:4

The fullness of time had fully come when the Son of God was born into the family of all humanity. Into a dark and sinful world, a world that had forgotten its creator, the Savior came. He came to bring us the fullness of abundant life. He took the nature of sinful, weak humanity so that we could partake of His divinity and become the sons of God. He who knew no sin, became sin for us that we, who are sinful, could partake of His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21). The Father would reconcile us to Himself through the gift of His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise. When as His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for He shall save His people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet saying, Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us (Matthew 1:18-23) (Isaiah 7:14).

The light of the knowledge of the glory of God was about to shine in the face of Jesus Christ. He would reconcile sinful, lost mankind to the Father who loved them with an everlasting love, a love that would not let them go, but would sacrifice His only begotten Son to bring them the precious gift of eternal salvation. He who was to show us the Father, was truly Immanuel with us. That tiny babe, wrapped in the garment of humanity, was man’s answer to his struggle against the powers of Satan, against selfishness and pride. Jesus would restore the image of God in the hearts of a world darkened by weight of sin.

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). When Jesus was born in the little town of Bethlehem, the children of God were looking for and longing for the coming of their Messiah, their Redeemer, but they did not expect Him to come to such a lowly estate. They expected a king, an earthly king that would conquer the worldly enemies that held them in an iron grip. When the fullness of time came however, at exactly the right moment in time, according to the divine plan, God sent forth His son to redeem the lost, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Galatians 4:4,5). What a precious promise! We are no more servants of Satan, alienated from the Father, but sons of the living God (vs 7). Can we turn our face away from such a gift, from such unfathomable love?

In the silence of a starry night, as the shepherds keep their lonely vigil guarding their flock, the hillside is bathed with the glorious light of the heavenly choir of angels as they sing glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men (Luke 2:13) Born unto mankind on this night in the city of David, was Christ the Lord. What a spectacular vision of the awesome splendor of God the Father as He announced the arrival of the Savior, His Son. What a blessing for those lowly shepherds as they beheld the fulfillment of the prophecy of old that foretold of the coming Messiah. And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord has made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And when they had seen it, they made know abroad the saying which was told them concerning the child. And they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen (Luke 2:15-20).

As we celebrate the holiday of Christmas, is the birth of Christ truly the essence of our celebration? The gracious gift of a loving Father to an undeserving world is a celebration not just for a season or a day, but all year. His birth is our hope, our life, our beginning. For only as He is born within our spirit, within the depths of our humanity, turning our hearts back to the Father, can the real joy of the Nativity be experienced. Then can we truly contemplate and understand the depths of Christ’s love for His creation. That He was willing to lay aside His glory with the Father to tabernacle among those He loved. May the true essence of the Nativity, the true joy of God with us, bring everlasting peace in the coming year.