About 2,000 years ago, there was an event that changed everything. The true story of the birth of Jesus Christ, His life, His death, and coming back to life, has resonated down through the centuries, affecting mankind like no other event in the history of the world.

At Christmas time, we see endless sales, jolly old men in red suits, snowmen, and people buying gifts for one another. Here and there, we hear of Jesus, maybe with a manger scene or a Christmas carol singing about His birth.

     The Bible says that Jesus was born in a stable.  Joseph and Mary, from the city of Nazareth, were an ordinary Jewish couple who were in Bethlehem (in Israel) that night for a census taken by the Roman Government.

     Who was this special baby? For centuries the Jewish people had been promised, by men who spoke for God, that someone would come and save them from their suffering and be their permanent king. They waited and waited until God knew that the time was just right. Mary was engaged to Joseph when an angel told her that she would give birth to a son who would be a ruler over a kingdom that would never end. He would be the Son of God, literally God in the flesh, living as a man and experiencing life as we do. Mary was a virgin, who conceived Jesus by the Holy Spirit. This amazing miracle was just the beginning of what Jesus would do. 

     The night of His birth, there were shepherds out watching over their flocks. Suddenly an angel appeared to these humble shepherds, announcing that Jesus had been born in Bethlehem and they would find Him wrapped in cloths, lying in a manger - a feeding trough.   Then a huge army of angels appeared in the sky above them saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

     This was truly a pivotal moment in time. But why did God choose just to tell the shepherds? Why not the kings and rulers of the region? Why not the religious leaders? The shepherds were common men doing a very basic job.

Jesus came for the humble person, the everyday man, the average Joe. The shepherds responded and went immediately to Bethlehem and found Jesus. After telling Joseph and Mary what had happened to them, they went out and told everyone what they had heard and seen. They were among the first to believe God and see Jesus as a baby.  God shows himself to those who are humble enough to listen and believe. 

But why did He come?

Maybe you’ve heard it said that Jesus Christ died to save us. What does that mean?

Man is an eternal creature; this life is just the beginning for us. Where we will spend eternity when we die is the question. First, we are saved by Jesus from the penalty or judgement for our sins. Second, we are saved by Jesus from the judgement that is coming on this world. Third, we are saved by Jesus from an eternity separated from God.

     He came to die for you and for me. Mankind has sinned against God, we have violated his laws, His ways, His rules.  God is Holy, perfect and without fault. We are the opposite. We have fallen far short of what God wants for mankind and evil is in our hearts. How much wrong (God calls it sin) a person does varies from person to person, but since the beginning, mankind has been quick to do wrong - and everyone is guilty. God is a God of justice. In order for justice to prevail, the penalty must be paid for wrongs done. The penalty or payment is death and eternal separation from God. For us to receive forgiveness, God demands a blood sacrifice: a life for a life. If there were to be a sacrifice to pay man’s penalty, it had to be a perfect one. There was no person that could pay the price for mankind’s sin. Being good, giving money to the poor, helping others, going to church, etc. cannot save us. We were in a hopeless situation with no way out.

     God had to do it Himself. THAT’S why Jesus came. Jesus Christ paid the penalty or debt that we owed to God. He alone was perfect and sinless. As an innocent sacrifice, Jesus took our sin on Himself when He hung on the cross.  He died in our place. To those who believe, God says that He will choose to never remember our sins again. THAT’S power! THAT’S why He came!

     The Bible says that when we receive Jesus Christ as our sacrifice, as the One who paid for our sins, we will become children of God.

     A simple prayer that you can pray right now goes like this:

     Heavenly Father, I admit that I have sinned against you. Forgive me for my sins and cleanse me with the blood of Jesus. I forgive anyone who has ever wronged me in any way. I choose to walk away from any sins that I am guilty of. I surrender my life to You; set me free!

                    In Jesus’ name, amen.