THE PURPOSE OF CHRISTMAS

December is a time when we focus on giving and receiving gifts.  Sometimes to the point that we allow the commercialization of Christmas to distort what should be a spiritual celebration into a negative experience with lots of stress. While showing our love to others through giving is important, it is secondary to the real purpose of the season. 

“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17 ESV)

In his sermon this past Sunday, Pastor Harry showed us through Scripture how Isaiah and Micah both prophesied exactly what would happen over seven hundred years later.  Isaiah specifically prophesied that the Messiah would be born from the House of David of a virgin and that he would be called Immanuel (Isaiah 7: 13-14).  Micah prophesied that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2).  We see the fulfillment of their prophecies in Matthew 1:18 (ESV) “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way.  When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

Isaiah 9:6 says to us that God’s son is given to us and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Jesus is also the Light of the world. When Jesus was presented as a baby in the temple, Simeon declared in Luke 2:29-32 “Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for the revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.”  

God has given us light through Jesus Christ. Without him, we are in the dark about the purpose of life and about God.  We are just kind of stumbling along through life.  We can’t see clearly unless we know the light of the world.

Immanuel means God with us.  He is recognized as our Counselor, or God, our Father, and the source of our Peace.  He is the purpose of Christmas.