Christmas 2024 Behold: A Savior is Born
Welcome to Immanuel! For those who received a Christmas postcard from us, this note has extra insights for your consideration (For those who did not, please see the accompanying image of the postcard.) May the Lord bless you as you ponder His Word.
The main focus of the postcard was to show peace can be obtained only when we are reconciled with God. But because all people are “dead in … trespasses and sins” (Ephesians. 2:1), it is impossible to come to God or to save ourselves. However, by God’s grace and mercy, we may have His salvation and peace. But how do we know this is true? To answer this question, let’s look at the front of the postcard and begin to learn what the Bible teaches about God and His plan and work to save us.
Front scripture:
For those who have attended a Christmas program or watched “A Charlie Brown Christmas” this text will be familiar. It is from the book of Luke in the New Testament of the Bible and tells the good news of the birth of Jesus to shepherds at Bethlehem.
“And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, ‘Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.’ 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14 ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!’ 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.’ 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them” (Luke 2:8-18).
In this text, we see the beginning of God’s plan to save us. For here we read the angel proclaimed the baby lying in the manger to be “Christ,” and “the Lord” (v. 11). These titles relate who the child is and what His purpose was in coming to the earth. First “the Lord” shows the baby, named Jesus, was of noble birth. From other biblical texts, we learn He was not only human but also God. (The Colossians scripture reading on the back of the postcard explains this further.) Because Jesus is God, He is the Lord of everything on earth and in heaven. He was also proclaimed to be “Christ” which is Greek for “anointed one” or more simply, “chosen one.” Jesus was chosen or selected to be “a Savior” or “one who saves or delivers.”
But who is Jesus saving? And from what are they being saved? To answer these questions let’s look at what Jesus said in the New Testament book of John, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him“ (John 3:16-17). Out of love, God desires everyone to be saved and be with Him eternally. Thus as the angel proclaimed, God sent Jesus into the world to be “a Savior.”
But this passage from John doesn’t explain why the world needed a Savior. So let’s look at a few other New Testament Bible verses: “Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil” (1 John 3:8) and “Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil” (Hebrews.2:14). So we see Jesus, the Son of God, was born as a man, not only to conquer, but to destroy the devil, his works, and his power over us.
Besides for saving us from the devil, are there any other reasons the Son of God came into the world? From two of the apostle Paul’s letters in the New Testament we read, “’O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?’ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) and “Our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (2 Timothy 1:10). These passages showJesus destroyed death too. Now there is no need to fear physical or eternal death.
But why do death and the devil cause so many problems for us and the world? The verse from Corinthians points to sin as being the source of suffering and trouble. The following passages also bear witness to this: “The wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23), and “[Jesus] himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).
Therefore to save us from sin, Jesus came into the world, was crucified, and died.
But what is sin? Sin is the failure to perfectly keep God’s commandments. So how do we know what God’s commandments are? And shouldn’t we be able to keep them and never sin? God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites in the Old Testament. But Jesus simply summarized them in the New Testament book of Matthew, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). Also in the New Testament, James wrote, “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” (James 4:17). With this understanding of sin, we must confess that we sin daily and it is impossible for us to perfectly keep the law of God. And the Bible tells us in the Old Testament book of Psalms, “They have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one” (Psalm 14:3). Thus, being “dead in … trespasses and sins” (Ephesians 2:1), there is nothing we can ever do to be free from the bondage of sin. Paul explains this in his letter to the Romans, “To set the mind on the flesh is death … For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:6-8). Therefore there is only one way to please God and be free of sin; that is, through the Savior, Jesus Christ.
But why is there only one way to be free of sin? The author of Hebrews in the New Testament tells us, “He has appeared once … to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.” (Hebrews 9:26). With this one sacrifice, the evil of sin and also death and the devil are conquered. No longer are all people separated from God or cursed with eternal death. Instead “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). Through God’s gift of faith there is salvation from evil, “eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23),and God’s peace as the angels proclaimed in verse 14 of Luke chapter 2.
But the angels declared God’s peace would be “among those with whom he is pleased!” (v. 14). Are there some who will not receive God’s peace? For an answer to this question let’s turn to the back of the postcard.
Back scripture:
This scripture is another of the Paul’s New Testament letters which was originally sent to the church at Colossae located in modern-day Turkey.
“[God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.21 And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, 22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister” (Colossians 1:13-23).
Looking at verses 15 through 19, Paul explains that Jesus is not just a man but part of the Godhead. Thus He was not created when the world was formed, but was there to create it. Note in verse 15, Jesus is described as the “firstborn of all creation.” Does this mean Jesus was created too? No, rather this phrase was used by Paul to attest that Jesus, who is God the Father’s “beloved Son” (v.13), is the first of God’s numerous children. (There will be more on the children of God later.) As such, Jesus is due the honor and receives the rights belonging to a firstborn son. Therefore He is before all things (v. 17), preeminent or superior in everything (v. 18), and the head of the church (v. 18).
Then in verse 14 there is another reference to Jesus being our Savior – the one who redeemed us, or bought us back – from the evils of sin, death, and the devil. A redeeming Savior is necessary for, as Paul again states, our minds are full of hostile thoughts often leading to evil and rebellion against God (v. 21). Thus we are separated from God.
But why are we separated from God? It is because of our sinfulness and God’s holiness. The Old Testament book of Psalms describes God as “Holy is he!” (Psalm 99:3) and “Your way, O God, is holy” (Psalm 77:13). The book of Psalms also relates how God views sin: “For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Psalm 5:4-6). Considering this, if God hates sin and all people are sinners, why isn’t everyone separated from God? For the psalmist continued writing, “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house … I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me“(Psalm 5:7-8). Did God merely dismiss the psalmist’s sin and allow him to enter His holy house? No, for “the Lord is a God of justice” (Isaiah 30:18). Therefore a payment had to have been made to atone for the iniquity of the psalmist. Since “God so loved the world” (John 3:16), the condemnation and punishment atoning for all sin was placed onto Jesus, His Son, rather than onto the psalmist and all people. Now having been redeemed by His holy sacrifice and “the blood of his cross” (v. 20), there is reconciliation and peace between God and man (verses 20 and 22).
And Jesus did not remain dead. He rose again – to which the “firstborn from the dead” (v. 18) refers. Now all who believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin, death and the devil are seen as holy and blameless by God (v. 22). No believer will be condemned as Paul tells us in the book of Romans, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). For all believers are God’s children and receive an inheritance (v. 12) of life in His holy kingdom forever (v. 13).
Then are some excluded from God’s peace and salvation? Yes, from verse 23 those who fall away from the faith return to the domain of darkness (v. 13). It is only with faith in Jesus as our Savior that God adopts us into His family. The author of Hebrews explains, “Without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists” (Hebrews 11:6).We will look into this further in the next section.
The summary:
Note the summary has been rewritten to include more of the text for several verses. These verses were truncated due to the space limitations of the postcard. Also note in this section the consistency of these Bible verses to those we have previously studied.
“Wars and rumors of wars,” also “famines and earthquakes,” (Matthew 24: 6,7) plus corruption and deceit – So, where is the good news?! Truly, bad news abounds when so many are “hostile to God” (Romans 8:7), “doing evil deeds” (Colossians 1:21). As a result, “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.” (Romans 1:18).
Yet, God declared, “There is no other god besides me, a righteous God and a Savior.” (Isaiah 45:21) Then he “sent his Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14). This Son ”though he was in the form of God, emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:6-8). Thus his “blood … poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 26:28) and his resurrection brought “salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). Now “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God” (1 John 5:1) and has “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). For Jesus promised, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
So behold the good news! And, despite any bad news this Christmas, have peace for “God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation” (Isaiah 12:2).
The first paragraph of the summary, establishes that the world and the people who inhabit it will have problems and troubles. No one is immune from the consequences of sin. We see an example of this with Adam and Eve after they sinned in the garden of Eden: “And to Adam [God] said, ‘Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return’” (Genesis 3:17-19).
As Adam and Eve learned, God’s anger will be experienced by those who fail to obey Him. However, unlike Adam and Eve, His wrath may not be felt immediately for God “desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). Therefore “the Lord is not slow … as some count slowness, but is patient … not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). Thankfully God is patient, but one day His wrath will be revealed against sin and evildoers. Then those who have not listened to His Word, nor repented of their sins, and thus by these actions have rejected His Son as their Savior will suffer the consequences of their disobedience. Paul wrote, “But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil” (Romans 2:8-9). Thus there will be others who do not receive God’s salvation and peace; those who do not believe in Jesus as their Savior from sin, death and the devil are condemned.
However, as the second paragraph of the summary illustrates, the only righteous God and Savior knew that because of disobedience all people would be condemned and suffer eternally. So out of love and mercy for us, God sent His holy Son to be born as a human baby. Christ Jesus then perfectly obeyed His Father’s commandments and became the flawless and only sacrifice which could bring the forgiveness of sins and the peace of God to the world.The book of Hebrews explains; “Christ … offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins … For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified” and then God declared, “’I will remember their sins and their lawless deeds no more.’ Where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer any offering for sin” (Hebrews 10:12-18). Thus, no other work or sacrifice is needed to atone for sin. The one flawless sacrifice paid for all sin and perfects or makes holy those who have faith in the one Savior, Jesus.
Now with all sin forgiven and forgotten, “everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God” (1 John 5:1) and receives adoption into God’s family. For John wrote, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1). Now adopted, the reconciled children of God have salvation and peace. For in being saved from sin, death, and the devil, His children no longer need to fear His wrath nor any earthly trouble or suffering. For God strengthens them to endure all things, including death. And His children look forward to eternal life where they will dwell with God forever. John gives us this glimpse of heaven in the New Testament book of Revelations: “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away’” (Revelations 21:1-4). Thanks and praise to God for His great love and numerous blessings! And as Paul wrote to the church in Galatia, “Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen” (Galatians 1:3-5).
In closing, if you would like more information about the Bible, please follow the link https://www.lhm.org/studies/studyvideofull.asp?id=16902 to the Lutheran Hour Ministries video series titled “Bible On Trial: Beyond a Reasonable Doubt.” At this site there are four short videos which examine the reliability of the Bible. At Immanuel, as Missouri Synod Lutherans, we believe the Bible is the true Word of God since “every word of God proves true” (Proverbs 30:5). However, we are blessed to have evidence which attests to the truth of God’s Word and confirms our faith in the Bible is not unfounded. Also after pondering these things, if you would like to know more or have questions, please contact Pastor Ottmers at Immanuel. He can be reached at 972-540-1036.
Now may you behold the “good news of great joy” which the angels proclaimed to the shepherds over two thousand years ago. And may the Lord richly bless you with His gifts this Christmas and through the coming years. And finally, “may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you” (2 Thessalonians 3:16).