Inspiration & Worship
Why Christmas Still Matters So Much
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cholars debate many details about Christmas, including whether Dec. 25 is really the date of Jesus’ birth. But both the Old and New Testament are very clear about his purpose for coming: to bring light to a dark world and everlasting life to those who believe on him. And that purpose is no less relevant today. In Luke 4:16-21, when his ministry began, Jesus opened the scroll of the prophet Isaiah (who lived about 1,000 years before Jesus was born) and read: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” Then Jesus closed the book, gave it back to the minister, and sat down. “And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him. And he began to say unto them, ‘This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.’” While many religions recognize Jesus as a prophet, only Christianity celebrates him as the son of God and the messiah prophesied in the Old Testament; and only Christianity offers salvation by grace to anyone who believes. John 1:1 tells us, “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.” Shortly before his death, Jesus prayed not only for people who already believed on him, but for “all those who shall believe on me through their word” (John 17:20) – and that includes us. Reading the story of Jesus’ birth, as detailed in the first few chapters of Luke and Matthew, is a great way to ready our hearts for the celebration of his birth. ❚ Compiled by Janine Pumilia
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