While watching the New Life Kids Christmas musical today, I was reminded of the significance of the season by Captain Courage (my son, Gunnar) as he asked the question “What does Christmas mean?”. While this made me think, I think the more important question is “What does Christmas mean TO YOU?“

Many times we get so wrapped up in the busyness of the season that we lose focus and sight of what it is all about. Removing all of the traditions, all of the symbols, and all of the folklore – we are left with one thing. This time is all about a person – JESUS!

It was Jesus who laid aside his divinity to put on humanity. It was Jesus who left heaven to come to earth, to be born as a man. It was Jesus who grew up in wisdom, stature, and favor with all men. It was Jesus who was filled with the Holy Spirit upon his baptism, leading the way for us. It was Jesus who endured every temptation we will ever face, and yet never sinned. It was Jesus who lived a life of leading and example, showing us how to live a fully empowered Christian life.

And it was Jesus who was without sin, yet became sin for us. It was Jesus who was brutally crucified and died in our place, paying the price we should (but never could) pay. And it was Jesus who, on that third day, rose from the dead, overcoming sin and defeating death – giving us a hope for a future!

We also cannot forget it was Jesus who, after being raised from the dead, stayed to teach and instruct his disciples until his mission was complete. And at the completion of that mission, it was Jesus that gave us OUR MISSION – to go into all the world, telling the good news (Matt. 28:19).

As incredible, wonderful, exciting, and inspiring as that story is in its completion – it never begins without the beginning. In other words, there is no Easter (resurrection from the dead, defeat of sin and death, and forgiveness of sins by the shed blood of Jesus) without Christmas (Jesus coming to earth as a man).

So this season, let us focus on the reason that we have this season – to honor and celebrate Jesus for coming into the mess of humanity to redeem us!

Merry Christmas, from New Life Church

Pastor Michael Geddie continues the series “Perspective” looking at things the way God sees them. This week, Pastor Michael shared about our culture, popular events, their roots, and our hearts. (10/30/2011)

[pro-player width="520" height="360" autostart="false"]http://vimeo.com/11386096[/pro-player]

Part 2