Welcome to this Christmas episode as we rediscover the true meaning of Christmas amid our increasingly secular world. With the Gospels as our compass, we'll revisit the unexpected arrival of Jesus Christ, the very heart of our beloved celebration. We'll draw wisdom from the profound truth of the incarnation and the joy it should bring, reminding ourselves that Christmas doesn't end with the festive celebration; indeed, it's just the beginning.
We'll delve into the four significant reasons for Jesus's advent. We'll start with His mission to save us from our sins, echoing the teachings of John the Baptist and the Gospel of Matthew. You'll appreciate how Christmas paves the path to Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Resurrection Sunday, where Christ's ultimate victory over death and sin was celebrated. We'll also explore how Jesus's coming marked the downfall of Satan's influence, an assurance that his final demise is certain despite his continued activities. Let's journey together to unearth the profound meanings that Christmas holds beyond the cakes and carols.
Hi, I'm Ruth Hovsepian. Welcome to the Out of the Darkness podcast, where we help you navigate life's trials based on faith and biblical truths. Merry Christmas, and welcome to Out of the Darkness. As we celebrate Christmas Day this time of year, Christians often ask a question like this in our increasingly secular age: how can we sustain the true value and meaning of Christmas? Well, if we are going to answer this question faithfully, we must first know why we celebrate this holiday, and for that we need to look further than to the simple yet unimaginably profound statements of the Gospels. An angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. Matthew, chapter 1, verses 20 and 21. The angel said to them you are not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people, for unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior who is Christ, the Lord. Luke, chapter 2, verses 10 and 11.
Ruth Hovsepian:
These texts take us straight to the heart of Christmas, the long, unexpected advent of our Christ, our Lord. 2000 years ago, god himself, the eternal word, became a flesh and dwelt among us John, chapter 1, verse 14. We should not gloss over such a glorious reality, but instead soak up the wonders of the incarnation and celebrate it with all the joy it's due. But we also must remember that Christmas is not a goal unto itself. That is, the incarnation is a beginning, not an end point. With that in mind, let's consider four reasons that Christmas came on that very first advent together. First, jesus came to take away our sins. Matthew's Gospel points us to the truth that Jesus came to save his people from their sins. Similarly as Jesus begins his earthly ministry in John's Gospel, john the Baptist announces behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world in chapter 1, verse 29. Paul adds this more systematic statement to the mixed in his grand treaties to the Romans. God shows his love for us in that, while we were still sinners, christ died for us.
Ruth Hovsepian:
In our broader culture, the imagery of Jesus in a manger in Bethlehem usually evokes sentimentality and feelings of peace and love. Indeed, christmas is a time to enjoy such warm feelings, but it's also much more than that. Jesus declares to Zacchaeus in Luke 19, verse 10,. The Son of man came to seek and to save the lost. Christmas had as its goal Good Friday, holy Saturday and Resurrection Sunday, when Christ utterly triumphed over death, dealt it a lethal blow and paved the path to reconciliation with God. This was Christ's mission, accomplished on the cross, where he gave himself up for his people. Christmas, then, is actually about the love Jesus displayed on the cross, for greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends.
Ruth Hovsepian:
John 15, verse 13,. 2,. Jesus came to destroy Satan's work. At the incarnation, our Savior came not only to defeat death, but also to destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3, verse 8,.
Ruth Hovsepian:
The arrival of Christ in Bethlehem was a signal at the beginning of the end for Satan and all his ways. Now we must bear in mind that the devil is still active and alive, even if he has been doomed to fail since the beginning. Peter would remind us your adversary, the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. 1 Peter 5.8. Still, however, he prowls and Satan is chained. He may snarl, roar and grab for us, but Christ came to destroy his works. John assures us that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning. But he who was born of God protects him and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5, verse 18,. The very one born of God, jesus Christ, will guard those who come after him. Ultimately, though Satan deceives, accuses, lies and hinders, he cannot touch us. His time is nearly up. His final destruction has been guaranteed.
Ruth Hovsepian:
Revelation 20-10, 3. Jesus came to make the Father known. The arrival of Jesus in Bethlehem was like God taking a brush and painting a self-portrait right across eternity and into the view of time. We no longer have to wonder what God is like. Instead, we can gaze upon the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4-6. As John's Gospel puts it, while no one has ever seen God, jesus Christ has made him known. John 1, verse 18. He is not only the word incarnate chapter 1, verse 14, but also God's final message to the world, his last word, the one and only Son through whom he has spoken.
Ruth Hovsepian:
Hebrews 1, verse 2. What a marvelous mystery it is that this baby Jesus, suckled at the breast of his mother and rocked to sleep in the arms of his earthly father was and remains fully God. He seemed a helpless, wriggling infant, but he was God's son, now glorified in heaven and rules over all. Though he cried like any other and weighed a mere handful of pounds in the manger, he would eventually declare with absolute authority In John, chapter 14, verse 9, whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Jesus Christ, both fully God and fully man, came to manifest God to the world.
Ruth Hovsepian:
4. Jesus came to prepare for a second advent. Finally, the Lord Jesus Christ came not only to take away our sins, to destroy the devil's work and to make the Father known, but also to prepare for a second advent. John writes Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him because we shall see him as he is.
Ruth Hovsepian:
1 John, chapter 3, verse 2. Much as the people of God awaited his first coming, so we now eagerly anticipate the second and the time between these advents. Jesus has gone to prepare a place for us. He tells us I will come again and will take you to myself that where I am you may be. Also. John, chapter 14, verse 3. And when he does come back. He will come not to deal with sin, but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
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Hebrews, chapter 9, verse 28. The New Testament pulsates with this great gospel assurance, which is as vital an aspect of the message of Christmas as is the cradle in Bethlehem. If Jesus Christ is not coming back again, then much of the New Testament is lying to us. The angels were wrong and Jesus is nothing more than a false teacher. But the glorious truth is that, as surely as he came humbly that first advent, he will return in awesome power and glory at his second coming.
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Are you ready, so? Why did Jesus come To take away our sins? Though your sins are like scarlet and red, like crimson, have they become like snow and wool because of Christ's cleansing power? Isaiah, chapter 1, verse 18. Why did Jesus come To defeat Satan's work? Are you living in the light of that victory? Why did Jesus Christ come to make the Father known? Do you know the Father? Do you know God more and more each day? Why did Jesus Christ come to prepare for the second Advent? Are you ready for His coming? When he sees you, will he take you in His hand and say friend, or will he say I never knew you depart from me. Matthew 7, verse 23.
Ruth Hovsepian:
Around the holidays, as we scramble to prepare food, decorations, parties and presents, friends or relatives may ask us are you ready for Christmas? It's an innocent question, but now, in light of God's self-revelation, we are a bid-read dear to answer in earnest. Yes, I am ready. Jesus has washed me, saved me, made me new. The new life I have in Him can never fade, and now the hope of Christmas has grown into the eager expectation for His second coming. When the good news of great joy, peace and love will reach its climax, we will truly wonderfully live happily ever after.
Ruth Hovsepian:
My friend, I wish you the best of Christmases. Remember the birth of Christ and why he came in the first place. I look forward to seeing you in 2024. This is the end of season one. It's been a great journey and I thank you for taking this journey with me. In 2024, we will continue with listening and hearing and learning from transformational stories. I look forward to sharing more from the Word of God. My friend, merry Christmas and I'll see you in 2024. Thank you for joining me. To stay connected, follow me on Instagram and Facebook. If you like this podcast, can you help me find new listeners by leaving a rating and review. This small step takes only a moment, but really helps grow the listening audience. So let me thank you in advance. I hope you have a wonderful day and until next time let's continue on our journey as followers of Jesus Christ. I am Ruth Hovsepian.