Our Christmas theme this year is “A Child Is Born.” Tammy and I have been blessed with four children, their spouses, and twelve grandchildren, so we understand the process well. When a couple finds out they’re expecting, there’s an announcement. Then comes the anticipation, the gender reveal, the name, the preparation. Finally, after all the waiting, a child is born.
That same pattern is woven throughout the Christmas story.
1. The Birth Announcement
Long before Jesus arrived in Bethlehem, God announced His coming through the prophets.
“Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign:
The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son,
and will call him Immanuel.”
— Isaiah 7:14
Throughout this Christmas series, we’ve looked at miraculous births, the birth of Isaac and the birth of John the Baptist. In both cases, their mothers, Sarah and Elizabeth, were barren. Not just childless, but unable to have children. And yet, God performed a miracle.
We don’t believe in a day of miracles. We believe in a God of miracles, and He is still God today.
We have seen couples told they could never have children become parents. We have prayed over people during 21 Days of Prayer and watched God bring healing. One woman we anointed with oil shared she is now over two years cancer-free. God is still at work!
Christians believe in the virgin birth because it completes God’s divine pattern:
- Adam — no man, no woman
- Eve — a man, no woman
- Humanity — a man and a woman
- Jesus — no man, a woman
The virgin birth made it possible for Jesus to be fully God and fully man, untouched by sin and without blemish, the perfect Lamb of God.
“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given…”
— Isaiah 9:6
A child is born speaks of His humanity.
A son is given speaks of His deity.
Jesus didn’t only come to save us, He came to identify with us. He knows what it’s like to be tired, hungry, tempted, lonely, and misunderstood. Christmas is the story of a God who loves us so much that He stepped into our world, walked in our shoes, and redeemed us as our Kinsman Redeemer.
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
— John 1:14
2. The Blessed Anticipation
After the announcement comes waiting, preparing, hoping, counting the days. Mary waited. Joseph waited. Israel waited. The world waited.
God’s plan didn’t begin in Bethlehem, it began in the garden.
“He will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
— Genesis 3:15
On the cross, Satan struck the heel of Jesus. But when Jesus rose from the grave on the third day, He crushed the serpent’s head, defeating sin, death, hell, and the grave forever.
“The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
— 1 John 3:8
From Genesis to the Passover, from Mount Moriah to the sacrificial lamb, every page of Scripture points to Jesus. He came to redeem us, to set us free, to restore us to our original purpose, and to fill our lives with meaning and joy.
3. The Baby’s Arrival
Luke records the moment heaven touched earth.
“She gave birth to her firstborn, a son.
She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger,
because there was no guest room available for them.”
— Luke 2:7
It doesn’t matter what day Jesus was born. What matters is that He was born. When we couldn’t come to Him, He came to us.
God announced this good news first to shepherds, the overlooked, the outcast, the ones at the bottom of society.
“I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.”
— Luke 2:10
Jesus was born for them. And He was born for you. God put your name on the gift.
The shepherds didn’t clean themselves up before going to Jesus. They came just as they were. And when they left, their circumstances hadn’t changed, but their hearts had.
“The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God.”
— Luke 2:20
Jesus was wrapped in cloths and laid in a manger just like the sacrificial lambs the shepherds cared for. He was the Lamb of God, born to die.
Jesus didn’t go under the tree.
He went on the tree.
An Invitation This Christmas
Christmas is not just the celebration of a birth long ago, it’s an invitation to experience new birth today.
What God wants for Christmas is you.
If you’re looking for the greatest gift you could ever give, give Jesus your life. Receive His gift of forgiveness and eternal life. It’s as simple as ABC:
- Admit you are a sinner
- Believe Jesus died and rose again for you
- Call on His name and be saved
Jesus said it takes childlike faith.
A Christmas Prayer
Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and the Son of Man.
Thank You for leaving the glories of heaven to come to earth so I could know You.
I believe You died for me and rose again.
I receive Your gift of eternal life.
Save me. Forgive me. Change me.
I confess Jesus as my Lord and King.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, welcome home.
This Christmas, may you leave rejoicing, whether you’re heading into a noisy family gathering or a quiet home, the same job, the same medical report, the same season of waiting. Jesus is enough.
A Child is born.
A Savior is given.
And everything changes.
If you’re ready to take your next step, fill out a Connection Card or visit one of our campus locations. We would love to pray with you, baptize you, or help you get connected.