Why is Jesus’ Birth so Important to Christians?

The reality of Christmas is astonishing if you think about it. The God of the universe became a human being. If you’ve been a follower of Jesus for a while, the reality of Christmas and the Incarnation (God becoming human) may not hit you all that hard. The very reason Jesus came was to be born - ultimately to die and give His life as a ransom for many for the forgiveness of sins.

The reality of Christmas made this possible.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” – John 1:1

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” – John 1:14

Jesus had to be fully man in order to take the place of humans and die in their place, but He also had to be fully God in order for his death to count for those who would place trust in Him - satisfying the demands of God.

The depth of how far Jesus descended is staggering. R. G. Lee was a pastor and writer of another generation. He said this about the Incarnation:

“What deep descent from the heights of glory to the depths of shame; from the wonders of heaven to the wickedness of earth…from the throne to the tree; from worship to wrath; from the halls of heaven to the nails of earth; from the coronation to the curse; from the glory place to the gory place!... But in His descent was the dawn of mercy. Because we cannot ascend to Him, He descends to us.”

Jesus came to us because there was no way for us to get to Him. Jesus came to reveal the Father - to show us what God is like. Just as in looking directly at the Sun can blind humans, so humans (because of our sinfulness and limitations) can’t see God. God dwells in unapproachable light. (1 Timothy 6:16) Yet “though no one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with Father, has made him known.” (John 1:18)

Seeing Jesus - His compassion, mercy, grace, power, and kindness shows us what God is like. While God ultimately is the only one who can give the ability to see, we still need to put ourselves in position to “look.” Look through the wonder of creation. Look through pages of the Scriptures. Look through the lens of other believers. Look through the lens of worship services where God is proclaimed. For if you ultimately “look” you will find as God promises in Jeremiah 29.

“You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart.” – Jeremiah 29:13

So, look, ponder, and stare at Jesus this Christmas season - for the first time or with a fresh pair of eyes. Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of this earth will turn strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.