Luke 2:10-11 “But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11 Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.”
Zechariah’s Song is recorded in Luke 1:67-77 (NIV) 67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied: 68 “Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come to his people and redeemed them. 69 He has raised up a horn[a] of salvation for us in the house of his servant David 70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago), 71 salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us—72 to show mercy to our ancestors and to remember his holy covenant, 73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham: 74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies, and to enable us to serve him without fear 75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days. 76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, 77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins”
Jesus came to take away our sins and make us part of God’s family forever.
Romans 6:23 (NIV) “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The name Jesus means “Saviour.” Jesus’ name in Greek means “I am the God who saves.” His birth made a way for us to be saved. It’s not just to go to heaven. We are saved from our old sinful lives, from the bondage we were in, that we may walk in freedom with Him!
Matthew 1:21 (NIV) “She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
This is Jesus’ purpose for coming to the world. He saves his people from the guilt of sin, by cleansing them in His own atoning blood. He saves them from the dominion of sin by putting in their hearts the sanctifying Spirit. Giving them eternity.
Harriet Heine wrote these lines about Christmas, “If there had been no Christmas morn, No Christ Child in a manger born, No shepherds watching in the night, No angel song, no star of light. Then there would be no hope today. For this old world where sin holds sway. No peace for souls weighed down with sin, No deep abiding joy within, No burdens lifted by His grace, No strength to run life’s weary race, No sorrows eased, no tempests quelled, No fears dispersed, no doubts dispelled. No song of praise, no answered prayer, no loving Lord to guide and care: But friend, there was a Christmas morn When Christ, the Son of God, was born. Oh, Hallelujah, praise His name, Hope lives today because He came!
Christmas was and is and will always be until Christ comes again a season of salvation to everyone who is willing by faith to ask Jesus to become their Lord and Saviour.
Jesus is the reason for the season.