justice other than to believe that the Lord of
proved that the punishment for our sins had
heaven and earth became Baby Jesus in order
been accepted by God the Father in full.
to be your Savior. How will you respond to him
“God . . . raised him from the dead and gave him
this Christmas?
glory, so that [our] faith and hope are in God” (1 Peter 1:21).
Later, when he returns to earth, he will come as the King in glory and in judgment. And what will matter then is whether people have rejected him by viewing him as “nothing but a baby.” Christmas is not sentimental; it is instrumental. That’s why we should care about Baby Jesus. Certainly the traditional songs, the trees, and the lights are all fine in their place. But Christmas is
©2015 Good News Tracts. Printed in U.S.A. Cover image: Lightstock. Cover design: ©Dual Identity. Bible references: ESV. Written by Dr. Josh Moody.
he rose from the grave three days later, which
How
CHRISTMAS Can Change
YOUR LIFE
not a sentimental feeling; it’s an instrument of change. It all starts with humility—the humility to recognize that the instrument that God uses to change your life is found in a manger, in a stable, in the middle of nowhere.
To read the Bible, learn about Jesus, or find a church in your area, visit Crossway.org/LearnMore.
Change comes by embracing the truth that there is nothing you can do to satisfy God’s
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Sweet and mild, gentle and easygoing—what
more. He lived more. He died on a cross like a
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have
is there not to like about “Baby Jesus”?
criminal, then he rose from the grave.
turned—every one—to his own way” (Isaiah 53:6);
On the other hand, what sort of difference can Baby
At Christmas we don’t just celebrate the sweet
Jesus really make in your life? And why should you
Baby Jesus. This Jesus became a man—fully God,
care about him in particular?
fully man, in one person—for our sake, to bring
God’s solution was for his Son to be born as a
At Christmastime people are more aware of the
us to God. Yet he is presented at Christmas in
man, live the perfect life, and die the perfect
difficulties in their lives, yet they have a feeling
stunning humility. The God of the whole universe
death as our only acceptable substitute, solving
that everyone else’s life is perfect. Because of that,
condescended to be born in a stable, surrounded
our alienation from God. God loved us enough
Christmas is bittersweet.
by poverty and immense indignity.
to send his Son to die in our place, perfectly
The truth is that Christmas is not a message about
The message of Christmas, with all its sweetness,
how to prosper financially, or have emotional
offers us hope. Christ has come to rule in our
happiness, or “live the dream.” Christmas is a
hearts. This offer gives more than anything offered
message about how all of us can find help from
by this world. The message of Christmas is more
Jesus to handle our problems and live in a way that
important, longer lasting (nothing can beat
honors God and is eternally satisfying.
eternity), more pleasurable, and more honoring
and, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
expressing the twin poles of God’s character— love and justice. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (1 Timothy 1:15). And “there is one mediator between God and men . . . who gave himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5–6). God’s sacrifice of his Son was the perfect expression of his absolute justice and unbounded love.
to God.
There’s More to Jesus Than Just “Baby Jesus”
However, there is a problem. We are radically cut off from God by our sins and rebellion against
Reasons to Care about the Birth of Baby Jesus
The story of Christmas in God’s book for
him. And God must judge sin, because he is holy. A
We should care about this baby because of all
humanity, the Bible, is so much more than
holy God is faced with rebels whom he made—yet
he did for us. He died on a cross like a criminal,
Baby Jesus. God’s Son, Jesus, did more. He said
he loves them! The Bible describes it this way:
even though he was absolutely sinless. Then
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