What’s So Great About Christmas? John 1:14
And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
What’s So Great About Christmas? It sounds like the type of question that Scrooge would ask, but it really is an important question for us to answer.
What is it that is so Great About Christmas? There are many things to enjoy during the holiday. We’re thankful for presents and food; Time with family and loved ones.
But beyond all those good gifts of God, there is something far more important and something truly great that we celebrate. In the midst of all the festivities, let’s make sure that we don’t miss the real reason for the season.
Christmas is a celebration of the fact that God became man. He took on human flesh and became one of us. Holy God humbled Himself by coming to be born of a woman and then living the perfect life we should have lived. He came and dwelt with us. He lived among us.
Let’s consider together the Scripture read earlier from. John 1:1-3, 14
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
He became flesh. The Son has always been eternal God, but just over 2000 years ago He became man. He took on flesh. He became one of us and dwelt among us, lived with us. And John significantly points out that this only Son of the Father was full of grace and truth.
Grace and Truth – These are 2 massive reasons why we celebrate Jesus and Christmas.
Jesus is full of Grace and Truth.
Let’s start by looking at Truth. The world is filled with lies and deception. And each one of us has added to the problem. We have all spoken falsehood. We try not to lie but it just keeps happening. We all do it.
For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.(James 3:2)
Let’s face it, we’re not perfect. We aren’t even close. It’s not just our words that get us in trouble, but our thoughts and actions as well. We covet and steal, we grow angry and hurt others in many ways. We all have a long list of regrets.
It is a serious problem because the standard that the creator of heaven and earth has set for us is perfection. We are to perfectly trust and obey God, but you haven’t done that and neither have I. We have failed to honor God as we should. All of humanity has failed to meet God’s standard and are deserving of punishment.
Jesus on the other hand, He was different. He did everything right. He obeyed completely, in everything. He spoke only the truth. Deceit was never on His lips. Jesus was the perfect man. He is the only one who did not stumble in what He said.
Even more than speaking the truth, Jesus actually claimed that He is the truth.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
He spoke truth and He is truth.
This time of year there is so much pretend and make-believe, but Christianity will have none of it. We are celebrating Truth! We are celebrating Truth and Grace.
Jesus is also full of Grace. Grace is simply a word for a gift, a present. Tomorrow we’re all going to open presents, but it would be tragic for you to miss the best present of all.
The grace of God is the best gift ever.
Gospel – Jesus Christ the God man lived a perfect life and then chose to lay down His life and the place sinners. He took our punishment as our substitute. He died in our place. He bore the wrath of God for us.
At Christmas we are not just celebrating that Jesus came, but that He came in order to save.
Jesus said that He “came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. (1 Timothy 1:15)
We are sinners. That is the Bible word for those who have broken God’s rules. We deserve punishment, but because Christ took our punishment, God has graced for us instead. He has a gift for us. A gift that we must receive. We must let go of our sin and take hold of Christ. We must trust in Him.
To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God. (John 1:12 )
God’s gift is that you can join His family. You can be reconciled. You can be made righteous in Christ. You can be given life with God forever.
What about you this evening? Have you received the most important present ever? Have you placed your trust in Jesus? Have you been saved from the punishment that you rightly deserve?
Jesus is full of Grace. You can trust in Him right now. You can call out for mercy.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
Receive the gift of Jesus. What’s so great about Christmas is that Jesus came to save sinners.