Amazing Grace! The Savior Is Born!

Author: Helen Man
Translator: Kim Ng

THE GREATEST THING IN HISTORY

Two holidays have made the most impact on human history: Christmas and Easter. The main character of Christmas is not Santa Claus but the Son of God, Christ Jesus who rather gave up his heavenly riches to be born in a lowly stable, just because of LOVE. His birth is truly good news to all nations as it was recorded in the Bible: “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11).

NOT A MYTH BUT A FACT

The entire Old Testament prophesies about Christ’s birth. In the beginning, God created the world, including our ancestors, Adam and Eve who were supposed to enjoy all the riches bestowed by God. However, they sinned against God and resulted in terrible eternal destruction and separation from God. Yet due to His faithfulness and lovingkindness, God made clothes from animal skin for Adam and Eve, symbolizing the necessity of shedding blood for salvation.

God also reprimanded the serpent that tempted the ancestors to sin: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel” (Genesis 3:15). The woman’s offspring is the incarnated Christ Jesus, born of Virgin Mary. Numerous prophecies from the Old Testament have not only pointed out where and why the Messiah was born, but also exactly how He was crucified. Prophet Isaiah and Prophet Micah had the following precise descriptions:

• Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).
• For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:6-7).
• “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.” Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labor bears a son, and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites. (Micah 5:2-3)

How amazing God’s plan is! No wonder the Israelites have been longing for the Messiah’s arrival.

The birth of Christ Jesus has fully fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament.

• God’s only begotten son, Christ Jesus was born of Virgin Mary according to the date ordained by God: “But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 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 Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:30-33).
• And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests” (Luke 2:8-14).

WHY WAS CHRIST BORN AND DIED FOR US?

Maybe you will be wondering why God had to sacrifice His only Son for us and why He didn’t simply forgive and forget all of our sins. It’s because God is different from man, who might be partial but God who is impartial, must execute His justice and must bring consequences to the sinful. Our world is full of sins ever since Adam and Eve have sinned: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands; there is no one who seeks God” (Romans 3:11). The consequence is that “…people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27) Yet we are not hopeless because “…all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24).

CHRISTMAS & YOU

Can you imagine how this Son of God being born into the world in a humble little manger and had to go through all the growing pains and human emotions throughout his thirty-three years of life on earth? Being limited in His human body, Christ was being tempted by the devil, yet did not sin. How can we be indifferent to Him who suffered these excruciating pains for us?

Christmas comes every year but our lives don’t last forever to celebrate Christmas every single year. I urge you to repent from your sins and accept this Prince of Peace as your personal Savior this Christmas. This will be the most important thing in your life.