CAPA Corner: The Meaning of Christmas

    The birth of Jesus was announced by a host of angels to shepherds keeping watch over their sheep on the hills surrounding Bethlehem with this astonishing message, “Glory to God in the highest and on earth, peace, goodwill towards men.”  The shepherds, filled with wonder, left their sheep to go to Bethlehem to see this promised Savior who was, according to the angel, lying in a manger wrapped in birth cloths. After hurrying to Bethlehem they did indeed find the baby just as the angel promised. 
    We’ve all read and heard this story many times and are comforted by its promise of Jesus coming to earth.  I want to ask a question of you, if you don’t mind. Do you find it surprising when you hear so many today question the true meaning of Christmas? I do, especially when we don’t really have to look very hard for the answer.  In the announcement of the angels we find God’s intent in sending His son to this world. Jesus came so that men could have peace with God. 
    Some even question why Jesus had to come to earth for this purpose. In their minds and hearts they believe that they are generally good people and that they are not at odds with God. They might also say that His coming wasn’t successful because He wasn’t really received that well by the majority of the people where He lived and the world doesn’t seem very peaceful now.
    The answers to these questions are given by our Father in the pages of Scripture. In them He speaks to us personally about our sin. Our sin, not the sins of our political leaders or even the sins of our parents, but our sin creates separation between us and the Father. To heal this separation God requires an atoning sacrifice. Here is where Jesus comes in. He is the innocent atonement for our sin. The words of the angel to Joseph concerning the birth of Jesus are spectacular “…you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sin.”
    How we react to the meaning of the birth of Jesus is very important. To be saved from our sin, as the angel put it, we must put our faith, our belief, in Jesus to be our savior. Not worrying about anyone else’s sin or reputation or even what anyone else has done we acknowledge our sin and ask the Father to forgive us, and He will. After all, that was His intent in sending Jesus. Then the meaning of Christmas becomes our reality; we have peace with God our Father.
    May the blessings of this season be yours eternally,
Pastor Bill Parsons
Grace Family Church