A Story Worth Telling: The True Meaning of Christmas
Christmas is more than just a holiday tradition or a heartwarming story we tell each year. The birth of Jesus Christ represents the most significant event in human history - a story that deserves to be celebrated, understood, and shared with everyone we know.
Why Is Jesus' Birth Worth Celebrating?
Unlike any other birth in history, Jesus came into this world for a specific purpose: to take away the sins of the world. As Luke 19:10 tells us, "the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." This wasn't just another baby being born - this was God himself entering human history to provide salvation for humanity.
The Christmas story found in Luke 2:1-20 is perhaps the most famous passage in the Bible aside from John 3:16. It tells us about how shepherds - ordinary, working-class people - were the first to receive and proclaim the news of Jesus' birth. This story reveals three crucial truths about why Jesus' birth is worth celebrating.
Jesus' Birth Proves God Is Trustworthy
The Geography of Jesus' Birth
God orchestrated every detail of Jesus' birth to fulfill ancient prophecies. Micah 5:2 prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem, a small town in Judah. How did God make this happen? He used a pagan Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus, who issued a decree requiring everyone to return to their ancestral hometown for a census.
From Joseph and Mary's perspective, this timing couldn't have been worse - Mary was pregnant and ready to give birth. But in God's plan, everything was perfectly on schedule. God moved the pieces of history to ensure Jesus would be born exactly where the prophecies said He would be.
The Ancestry of Jesus' Birth
Luke repeatedly emphasizes that Jesus was born into the lineage of King David. This wasn't coincidental - God had promised David in 2 Samuel 7:16 that his throne would be established forever. Jesus fulfilled this promise as the eternal King who would reign on David's throne.
If God took such care to fulfill prophecies made centuries before Jesus' birth, ensuring every detail was perfect, don't you think He's trustworthy enough to handle whatever you're facing today? Whether it's financial struggles, relationship conflicts, or uncertainty about the future, the same God who orchestrated Jesus' birth is in control of your circumstances.
Jesus' Birth Shows God Is For Us
God's Humility in Jesus' Birth
Jesus' birth was marked by humility, not grandeur. Mary wrapped Jesus in simple strips of cloth with no midwife or helpers present. Joseph and Mary were poor - when they dedicated Jesus at the temple, they could only afford to offer two pigeons instead of the customary lamb and pigeon, which was the offering allowed for families who couldn't afford the standard sacrifice.
Most significantly, Jesus was laid in a manger because there was no room in the inn. This wasn't a Holiday Inn that was simply booked up - this was likely a guest room in a relative's house where Mary and Joseph had planned to stay, but circumstances forced them to find shelter wherever they could.
God Relates to Us Through Jesus' Birth
The announcement of Jesus' birth didn't go to kings, dignitaries, or religious leaders. It went to shepherds - people who were considered the lowest class of society. Shepherds were dirty, often viewed as trespassers, and generally ignored by respectable society. They weren't invited to parties or consulted for their opinions.
Yet God chose to announce the birth of the King of Kings to these forgotten, overlooked workers. This shows us that God isn't afraid to get His hands dirty in our lives. Whatever mess, brokenness, or sin you're dealing with doesn't scare Him away. He came for people exactly like you and me.
Jesus' Birth Means God Invites Us
A Universal Message of Joy
The angel's message to the shepherds was clear: "I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people" (Luke 2:10). This wasn't just for the nation of Israel - it was for everyone, everywhere.
The angel gave Jesus three titles that reveal who He is:
Savior: He would take the punishment for our sins on the cross
Christ: The anointed one who serves as prophet, priest, and king
Lord: A divine title showing that this baby was God himself in human flesh
A Personal Response Required
The angels didn't just give the shepherds good news - they gave them a way to verify it. They could go to Bethlehem and find the baby wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. The shepherds had to make a choice: ignore this incredible announcement or investigate it for themselves.
They chose to go and see Jesus. After encountering Him, they returned to their regular jobs and daily routines, but they were completely changed people. They went back "glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen."
What Does This Mean for You?
The gospel requires a personal response. You can know the Christmas story, set up nativity scenes, and attend Christmas services, but none of that will change your life unless you personally encounter Jesus Christ.
Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life for 33 years, then died on a cross - not because He had done anything wrong, but because we have all done everything wrong. He knew your name before you were born. He knew every sin you would commit. He knew that sin would separate you from God forever. So He took the punishment for your sin upon Himself.
Romans 10:13 says, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." If you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead, and if you accept Him as your Lord and Savior, trusting Him exclusively to take your sin away, the Bible promises you will be saved.
Life Application
This Christmas, don't just celebrate the tradition - celebrate the truth. Jesus' birth is a story worth telling because it's the beginning of God's rescue mission for humanity. Just as the shepherds couldn't keep quiet about what they had seen and heard, we should be eager to share this incredible news with others.
Challenge yourself this week: Share the real Christmas story with someone who needs to hear it. Whether it's a family member, friend, coworker, or neighbor, look for opportunities to tell them why Jesus' birth matters. Don't let a cartoon character tell the Christmas story more often than you do.
Questions for reflection:
Do the people closest to you know why you celebrate Christmas?
How has encountering Jesus changed your life?
Who in your life needs to hear the true story of Christmas this week?
Are you living like someone who has been transformed by the gospel, or are you going through the motions of tradition?
The birth of Jesus is the greatest news the world has ever received. It's a story of God's trustworthiness, His love for us, and His invitation to eternal life. This Christmas, make sure you're not just hearing the story - make sure you're living it and sharing it with everyone you know.