Luke 1:26 - Matthew 1:18 - Luke 2 - "It Is Reported"

Tomorrow, we celebrate Christmas. Christmas is the Christian remembrance and celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ as foretold in dozens of prophecies concerning Him in scripture. While modern society has removed themselves from the Christ of Christmas, believers today, still celebrate the coming of the promised Savior. He is the reason of our hope, of our joy, and our salvation, and without Him we would surely be lost. The true meaning of Christmas is God's love. John 3:16-17 says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." The true meaning of Christmas is the celebration of this incredible act of love. The real Christmas story is the story of God’s becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ.  While many focus on the babe in the manger, Christmas is not about His infancy, it's about His deity.   It is about the Person and the Work of God for mankind.  Yes, Jesus was born into our world as a tiny infant, so while He was yet fully human, with all the needs and emotions that are common to us all, He was also fully God -- all wise and all powerful.  The biblical evidence is overwhelming that this child in the manger was the incarnation of God (see Colossians 1:15-20). That lovely night 2,000 years ago, one star lit the heaven and marked the spot where the Christ was born, where God was made flesh. Why did God do such a thing? Because He loves us! we celebrate the fact that God so loved the world, that He gave us His only begotten Son. His life is the life He imparts to us and is the greatest gift of all. Why was Christmas necessary? Because we needed a Savior! Why does God love us so much? Because He is love itself (1 John 4:8). Why do we celebrate Christmas each year? Out of gratitude for what God did for us. The true meaning of Christmas is love. God loved His own and provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He gave His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. He paid the price in full, and we are free from condemnation when we accept that free gift of love. "But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). While there is a certain chronology of the announcements of the coming Savior, the emphasis is found in Luke 2:11, the angel says, "There has been born for YOU a Savior." That is the heart of Christmas. It is the heart of the Gospel. It is the heart of the entire Bible. It is the heart of everything! It's the pinnacle of redemption. There has been born for YOU a Savior. That's the Christian message. That's the Christ of Christmas!! Go share the message of the Savior with someone today!