Why Do We Need Christmas?

You may be startled by the question. Perhaps not. What exactly is meant by, "Why Do We Need Christmas?" This is not an un-Christian question, but a very important and crucial question, which essentially asks this: "Why ought we care if a baby was born in a small town in Israel about 2000 years ago?" (Photo credit to: Conservative American Vet)

Continuing a month of Christmas-related entries, the answer is quite surprising. The basic answer is as follows. If this baby, Jesus Christ, was not born in Bethlehem, in the city of David, to a virgin named Mary, of the bloodline of King David, mankind would have zero chance of hope in this life for the next - life in Heaven, for those who accept him as Lord and Savior.

However, if you are a regular reader, you will know I do not settle for simple or basic answers. Let us examine this closely. It is true that there are many who try to take "Christ" out of "Christmas," and call it "Xmas." It is true that many focus on Santa Claus, Cookies, Trees, Decorations, instead of Christ - but the problem that people seem not to understand is - this doesn't include every person in the world!

Yes, people do celebrate specific things at Christmas time. Is it wrong to set up a Christmas tree, decorate it, sing carols, and make cookies? By no means. If, however, you are worshiping these things, then it becomes an issue - I am not accusing anyone of this, merely showing that no, it isn't a sin to want to make cookies or other such things - but never lose the true focus of Jesus Christ.

Why do we need Christmas? We celebrate Christmas because of the birth of our Savior, whether we accept him or not. Perhaps the true question we need to ask ourselves is, why do we need a Savior?Death entered the world because of sin, and because we all sinned, we are in need of a Savior, for "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," (Romans 3:23) and "the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus out Lord." (Romans 6:23) "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God's one and only Son." (John 3:16-18)

Ecclesiastes 12:14, "For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." In Isaiah 61:1, we read what appears to be a statement from Christ, "The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners..."

If there is anything evident from the Bible, it is that mankind is in need of a Savior, and by faith, we know this Savior, this Messiah, is Jesus, the Son of God. Over the last several months, we have examined several evidences for God, for Christianity, for the truth of God's Word, the reliability of Scripture, the like. I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that Christianity is true, and no one could convince me of it otherwise.

Some have asked, "Did Joseph and Mary actually know who Jesus was?" In other words, was he really sent to die for mankind's sins? Well, let's take a look at the Christmas account found in Matthew 1:21. "She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins." The answer is yes, the angel did specify his purpose. Did Gabriel tell Mary his importance, when he spoke with her?

Luke 1:31 says, "You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." The answer, in this case, again, is yes, Mary did know Jesus' purpose, as did Joseph.

Jesus, the Creator (John 8:58, Colossians 1:15-20, Revelation 22:13, etc) entered into his Creation to save us all. Without his Birth, without Christmas, there would have been no life, therefore rendering everything meaningless, as we could do nothing to save ourselves. But thankfully, God allowed for Jesus to be born to a virgin, Mary, conceived through the Holy Spirit, raised by Joseph as a carpenter, began his ministry at the age of 30, preached and performed miracles and healings for three years, was nailed to a cross, died for all of the past, present, and future sins of humanity, rose from the dead in a glorified state three days later, ascended to Heaven forty days later, sits at the right hand of God - and will return one day soon for his people.'

Why do we need Christmas? If Christ was not born, we would have no hope. But we do have hope, so we celebrate the birth of the Messiah, the Savior, every year around December. (Depending on where you live) Thank you for taking the time to read this entry of, "The Truth." Email vexx801@yahoo.com, comment below, or visit the facebook page. Take care, and may God bless you. Troy Hillman